Brussels 22.05.2024 In the end of a long and turbulent day, the head of the European diplomacy
“I take note of today’s announcement by 2 EU Member States -Ireland and Spain- and by Norway on the recognition of the State of Palestine” wrote Josep Borrell on his Twitter page, commenting the other Tweet of his Spanish counterpart.
“Within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, I will relentlessly work with all Member States to promote a common EU position based on a 2-state solution” he continued.
However he has immediately placed the situation in a difficult international context, relativizing with the other events: “I commend the work of the EU in Afghanistan delegation in support of the victims of several nationalities, following the attack against foreign tourists in Bamyan, and the close cooperation with Spanish diplomats on the ground in these very difficult circumstances” Borrell added.
Three Spanish tourists have been killed by gunmen in the central Afghanistan city of Bamiyan, the Spanish government said. Afghan officials informed that an Afghan national was also killed, while another four foreigners and three Afghans were injured.
19:15 So far there was no official statement of the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security policy Josep Borrell on the decision of three countries – Ireland, Norway, and Spain – announcement to formally recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May.

Israel reacted immediately, warning that the decision would mean more instability in the region and recalling its ambassadors to all three countries.
Both Hamas and its rival, the Palestinian Authority, have welcomed the recognition.
The position of Israel government was explained at length during a press conference given by the spokesperson David Mencer. (The link to the video below).

“I am sending an unequivocal message… Israel will not let this go quietly,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

The top diplomat has also summoned the envoys of the three countries in Israel for “severe reprimands,” and said they would be shown footage of the kidnapping of five female Israeli soldiers on October 7 amid Hamas’s terrorist attack, which was set to be made public Wednesday evening.

The footage will “underscore to them what a twisted decision their governments made,” Katz said in a statement. “Their step will have severe consequences.”

According to “Times of Israel” newspaper the Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded “harsh punitive measures” against the Palestinian Authority (PA), indicating that he will cut off the transfer of tax funds to the PA relevant body. He called for voiding a mechanism established with Norway to facilitate the transfer of salaries to PA employees in Gaza and demanded that Israel approve thousands of new settlement homes in retaliation.