'Israel' bans Spanish consulate services in West Bank post-recognition
2 Min Read
Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that the Spanish consulate in al-Quds will no longer provide services to Palestinians from the West Bank.
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A protester takes part in a demonstration march carrying a banner showing the Palestinian flag, in support of Palestinians in Madrid, Spain, on December 2, 2023. (AP)
Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced that the Spanish consulate in al-Quds will be prohibited from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank.
This decision, according to the Israeli occupation, follows Spain's declaration to recognize an independent Palestinian state alongside "Israel", and after Spanish Minister Yolanda Díaz concluded a speech with the phrase "Palestine will be free from the river to the sea."
In a statement, Katz proclaimed "I have decided to sever the connection between the Spanish mission to Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem [al-Quds] from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank."
Palestinian factions praise Ireland, Spain, Norway's state recognition
The Hamas Movement welcomed the announcement by Ireland, Norway, and Spain of recognizing the State of Palestine, urging countries around the world to follow in their footsteps and recognize the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support their struggle for liberation and independence, and end the Israeli occupation.
In a statement issued today, the movement described this announcement as an "important step" on the path of establishing the Palestinians' right to their land and independent state with al-Quds as its capital.
A member of the political bureau of Hamas, Bassem Naim, praised this move and told AFP, "These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people."
He added that this would be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian cause and would help put pressure on the Israeli occupation and its allies.
Naim also said that this move will encourage many countries to recognize Palestine as an independent state, expressing appreciation for the political courage exhibited by these countries despite the immense pressure.
Read more: Europe's political shift: War moves gravity center away from 'Israel'
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
