Spanish FM, Belgian PM deny previous Israeli accusation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Nov 2023 23:55
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The Spanish foreign minister called "Israel's" accusations untrue and unacceptable.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, left, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo speak during a press conference at Rafah crossing to the Gaza Strip, Egypt, as a temporary ceasefire went into effect Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Arabic reads, "Rafah crossing". (AP Photo)

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on Friday rejected "Israel's" comments of supporting terrorism following their call for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"The accusations made by the Israeli government against the Prime Minister [Sanchez] and the Belgian Prime Minister are absolutely false and unacceptable. We categorically reject them," the Spanish foreign minister said.

De Croo has on his part emphasized his so-called "balanced" position, stating that Belgium condemns terrorism and opposes the killing of people on both sides.

"I said that humanitarian aid is not getting through [to the Gaza Strip] because of problems on Israel's part. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. I condemned the Hamas attacks and emphasized Israel's right to defend itself, of course within the framework of international law. I also stated that the killing of civilians on both sides must stop. That is a balanced message. We will invite the Israeli ambassador to Belgium for coffee and reiterate our position," De Croo told Belgian news agency Soir.

"Israel" makes delirious accusations

The two premiers, Belgium's Alexander De Croo and Spain's Pedro Sanchez made a trip to the Israeli-occupied territories on Thursday, where they met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen among other officials to discuss the war on Gaza.

Following their meetings, they told reporters that: "Israel needs to do much more to avoid civilian casualties." De Croo added that his talks with Netanyahu were "open" but confrontational.

"We are not here to exchange good news," he said, adding that this is a vital moment and "we do not want another 10,000 deaths."

The current pause is insufficient and more aid needs to enter Gaza, the Belgium prime minister added, Meanwhile the Israeli PM chose not to take questions from journalists.

Following their trip to "Tel Aviv," the prime ministers landed in Cairo where they met with the Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Before making their way to the Rafa Crossing. During a joint press conference from the border crossing, they welcomed the temporary pause but called for an end to the horrific Israeli war on Gaza.

In the first response to their remarks from Rafah, the Israeli foreign minister angrily accused them of "supporting terrorism" and a "murderous organization," also sounding Netanyahu's objection.

Cohen also challenged calls for a permanent halt of aggression, Cohen declared: "We will resume fighting after the ceasefire until the elimination of Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the abductees."

Belgian PM, Alexander De Croo:

"The killing of civilians need to stop now. The destruction of Gaza is unacceptable. We cannot accept that a society is being destroyed the way it is being destroyed."

"We give this message on behalf of the European Union. There is no military… pic.twitter.com/qDU7UotYv6
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