Tensions on the verge of the first liberations. While Israel has just witnessed the return of its first hostages, the Hebrew state has decided to invite the ambassadors of Belgium and Spain to a “stern reprimand” after their heads of government in Egypt denounced “the destruction of Gaza” and called on Israel to “establish the State of Palestine to recognize”. Israel’s diplomatic chief, Eli Cohen, “gave the order to invite the ambassadors of these countries to a meeting with strict reprimands,” his office said. According to him, “the two leaders support terrorism.”
In a separate statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned their comments, accusing them of “failing to hold Hamas fully responsible for the crimes against humanity it has committed by massacring our citizens and using Palestinians as human shields.” “.
During a visit to Egypt’s Rafah terminal on Friday, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the Israeli response in Gaza must “respect international humanitarian law” after the deadly Hamas attack in Israel on October 7. The Hamas government has recorded nearly 15,000 deaths, two-thirds of them women and children, according to Israeli authorities, in these attacks, which were launched after the deaths of 1,200 people on October 7, the majority of whom, according to Israeli authorities civilians acted. “The deaths of civilians must stop,” demanded the Belgian minister.
“Irrelevant and unacceptable”
His Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, with whom he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi in Cairo on Friday, called at his side: “Israel should be the first to pursue a comprehensive approach that includes the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” Recognition of the State of Palestine by the international community and Israel”.
The head of Spanish diplomacy, José Manuel Albares, described “the Israeli government’s accusations” against the Spanish and Belgian leaders as “false, irrelevant and unacceptable” in a statement sent to the press.
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Since the war began on October 7, Belize and Bolivia have severed diplomatic relations with Israel. Other countries such as Turkey, Colombia and Chile have recalled their ambassadors for consultations. In late November, Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa after Pretoria recalled all diplomats stationed in Israel.