RAMALLAH: Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that he has decided to “sever the connection” between Palestinians and Spain’s representation in Israel following Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood this week, Arab media reported on Friday.
Spain’s deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz said that she wanted to “liberate Palestine from the river to the sea”. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that they are going to recognize the state of Palestine on 28 May. EU member Ireland also announced to recognize the state of Palestine. The government of Ireland stated that the recognition would support a two-state solution and complement peace efforts in the region. Since 1988, about 139 out of 193 UN member countries have recognized Palestinian statehood
The development comes as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule today on a plea by South Africa to order Israel to implement a truce in the Gaza Strip. Being one of the six organs of the UN, and located in The Hague, Netherlands, the court is the only international court that adjudicates general disputes between countries, and gives advisory opinions on global legal issues.
