Spain and Ireland to Formally Recognize Palestinian State Despite Strained EU-Israel Relations

Relations between the European Union and Israel got worse before EU members Ireland and Spain recognized a Palestinian state. Spain suggested punishing Israel for attacking Rafah in Gaza. Israel said Spain's consulate in Jerusalem can't help Palestinians. EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, supported the International Criminal Court seeking to arrest Israeli leaders. Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, said they won't be threatened. Even though the EU condemned a Hamas attack on Israel, they criticized Israel's response that killed many Palestinians. The International Court of Justice told Israel to stop attacking Rafah. Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, agreed to recognize Palestine and work for peace. The situation got tense when Israeli authorities showed videos of the Hamas attack to the ambassadors of Spain and Ireland. Albares criticized this action as not diplomatic. The goal is to recognize Palestine, achieve a cease-fire, and bring lasting peace.