Israel accuses Pedro Sanchez of inciting Jewish ‘genocide’ as Madrid seeks a ‘viable’ state of Palestine.
The establishment of a Palestinian state is “the only path to peace” in the Middle East, says Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Sanchez spoke on Tuesday ahead of a cabinet vote to formally recognize a Palestinian state. Ireland and Norway are expected to take the same step, provoking Israel’s fury.
The Spanish Prime Minister classified the measure as “a matter of historic justice”.
“The only way to establish peace is the establishment of a Palestinian state, living side by side with the State of Israel,” he said.
“The State of Palestine must be viable with the West Bank and Gaza linked by a corridor and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Madrid will not recognize any changes to pre-1967 borders unless both parties agree, he said.
The occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip were among the territories Israel conquered in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
The Spanish cabinet was expected to certify the formal recognition after a meeting on Tuesday. Ireland and Norway are expected to follow suit.
Malta and Slovenia have also suggested that they would take the same step, although not immediately.
The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Malta and Slovenia said in March they were considering recognizing a Palestinian state as “a positive contribution” to ending the war in Gaza, drawing the ire of Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Sanchez of being a “partner in incitement” to Jewish “genocide.”
Commenting on call for a free Palestine “from the river to the sea”. .
Spain, Ireland and Norway announced their plan to formally recognize Palestine last week, prompting Israel to recall its ambassadors from the three countries.
Palestine has already been recognized by 144 other countries.
Of the 27 members of the European Union, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognized a Palestinian state.
Britain and Australia have said they are considering recognition, but France has said now is not the time, while Germany has joined Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States, in rejecting a unilateral approach, insisting that a two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
