Israel reprimanded the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway and Spain on Thursday over their governments' plan to recognize a Palestinian state, Israeli officials said, dismissing the move as an attempt to “resurrect… old and failed policies.”
Announcing on Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, the three European countries said they wanted to help secure the halt to Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza and revive peace talks that stalled a decade ago.
Reasons for the impasse include the rise of Hamas militants who rule Gaza and seek Israel's destruction, and the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, which refuses to yield to the Palestinians.
The war, triggered by a wave of assassinations and kidnappings in October 2017 by members of Hamas, fueled violence in the West Bank and further diminished Israeli interest in peace diplomacy.
“If Israel has learned anything in recent months, it is that our children deserve a better, more secure future – not the resurrection of old, failed policies,” said government spokesman Avi Hyman.
“Recognition of a Palestinian state does not promote peace. It perpetuates the war,” he told reporters. “Any kind of supposed solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict that compromises Israel’s security does not mean peace. There will be no compromise to our security.”
The three envoys were summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, where previously unaired footage was to be shown of Hamas taking female army recruits captive, officials said.
Israel has also summoned its own ambassadors to Dublin, Oslo and Madrid for consultations.
Some other Western powers say recognition of a Palestinian state should follow negotiations.
Source: CNN Brasil
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