Spanish FM: 'Palestinians have the right to have their own state'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 May 2024 21:32

Palestinian Prime Minister meets Spanish Foreign Minister in Brussels and officially welcomes Spain's recognition of the State of Palestine, urging other EU states to follow in their footsteps.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albanese meets the Foreign Minister of the State of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, in Brussels on May 26, 2024. (Social media)

Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, confirmed, on Sunday, that recognizing the State of Palestine is a "just act for the Palestinian people," reaffirming that Spain stands "committed to the two-state solution and peace in the region."

In a joint press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Brussels, Albares added that "the Palestinians have the right to have their own state."

Me he reunido con el PM y ministro de Exteriores de Palestina, Mohammad Mustafa, en @EspanaenUE en Bruselas. Le he trasladado el firme compromiso de España con la solución de dos Estados y la paz en la región. Por eso España reconocerá al Estado de Palestina el próximo martes. pic.twitter.com/6cHhIw8cG3
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) May 26, 2024

For his part, Mustafa welcomed Madrid's decision to recognize the State of Palestine, along with Norway and Ireland, affirming that this step constitutes a "significant boost for peace and stability in the region."

The Palestinian Prime Minister said, "We want every country in Europe to take a similar step, as it is the right decision to make," emphasizing that it marks "the beginning of a new phase," adding that "I believe the time has come to raise our voices more and demand a ceasefire and an end to the war."

Mustafa and Albares also reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the Palestinian Prime Minister stressing that the international community "must demand" this.

Mustafa will travel to Madrid next Wednesday, where the Spanish authorities will officially receive him based on their decision to recognize the State of Palestine, according to the Spanish Foreign Minister.

Moreover, Albares emphasized in a post on X that "the precautionary measures taken by the International Court of Justice, which included the decision to halt the Israeli attack on Rafah, are mandatory," and called for their implementation.

Hoy le he reiterado al PM y ministro de Exteriores de Palestina, Mohammad Mustafa, que puede contar con el apoyo de España a la Autoridad Nacional Palestina, nuestro socio para la paz, para alcanzar el objetivo de la paz en la región.

España seguirá trabajando por la paz. pic.twitter.com/aNOBWW11wi
— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) May 26, 2024

Spain Deputy PM 'from the river to the sea' chant infuriates 'Israel'

Spanish Deputy Premier Yolanda Diaz stated in a social media video posted on Thursday that Madrid's recognition of the Palestinian state on May 28 is only the start of a longer political process, expressing that Spain will continue to exert pressure to "defend human rights and put an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people."

Diaz expressed that although doing the "minimum" was a heroic action, it was still "insufficient", adding that “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

To the surprise of nobody at all, the Israeli ambassador to Spain blasted her remarks as inciting hatred and violence, citing on X that Spain as a democratic nation should have "no room for antisemitic declarations."

"Israel" withdrew its ambassadors to Spain, Ireland, and Norway on Wednesday, after the announcement by the three EU governments that Palestinian statehood will be formally recognized next week, a decision the ambassador stated will "not contribute to peace and security."