MADRID: Spain’s foreign minister on Sunday condemned a video posted by his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz as “scandalous and execrable”.
This is part of a growing spat between the two countries over the Gaza war. Spain last week announced recognizing Palestine as a state.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz posted a short video on X Sunday. “Hamas: Gracias España” (“Hamas: Thanks Spain”), it says. It shows the Spanish flag and a dancing couple, interspersed with Hamas fighters and fleeing people.
.@sanchezcastejon, Hamas thanks you for your service. pic.twitter.com/Pkdp5diHRX
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 26, 2024
In recent days, two Spanish ministers referred to a genocide in Gaza.
“We won’t fall into provocations,” said Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. “The video is scandalous and execrable.”
“It’s scandalous because all know Spain condemned Hamas’ actions from the start. And execrable for using a Spanish cultural symbol.”
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Saturday the Gaza conflict is “genocide”. Deputy PM Yolanda Diaz also described it as genocide.
Israel rejects accusations of genocide against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice. It argues it defends itself against Hamas.
The Israeli embassy in Madrid responded to Robles’ comments on X Saturday. “We regret Robles endorsed the false Hamas story.”
The EU and US deem Hamas a terrorist organization. Spain, Ireland and Norway declared recognizing a Palestinian state on May 28.
Israel said this “rewards terrorism” and recalled ambassadors from the three capitals. Robles said recognizing Palestine aims to end Gaza violence.
Katz had released a similar video on Norway :
Norway, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for a Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it.@jonasgahrstore, Hamas thanks you for your service. pic.twitter.com/X0xVOyWLXL
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 23, 2024
Israel’s Gaza campaign killed nearly 36,000 Palestinians, Gaza officials say. It destroyed much of the enclave.
Israel launched to eliminate Hamas after the October. 7 attack, in which 1,200 were killed and 250 taken hostage.
(REUTERS)
