EU and Israel Relations Strain as Spain, Ireland Move to Recognise Palestine

Relations between the European Union and Israel have deteriorated as EU members Ireland and Spain prepare to diplomatically recognize a Palestinian state. Madrid has suggested considering sanctions against Israel for its continued attacks in southern Gaza's city of Rafah. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has informed Spain that its consulate in Jerusalem will not be allowed to help Palestinians. Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed support for the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, including leaders of the Hamas militant group.Spain, Ireland, and Norway plan to officially recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday. While dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers have done so. The recognition is a significant accomplishment for the Palestinians, who believe it confers international legitimacy on their struggle. Katz has accused Spain of "rewarding terror" by recognizing a Palestinian state.Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has criticized Katz's comments and said his colleagues from Ireland and Norway were "also receiving absolutely unjustified and absolutely reprehensible provocations from our Israeli colleague" because of their plans to recognize Palestine. He emphasized the importance of European unity in the face of intimidating propaganda.Slovenia's Prime Minister Robert Golob announced that his government will decide on recognizing a Palestinian state on Thursday and forward its decision to parliament for final approval. Slovenia launched the recognition procedure earlier this month, and Golob has been under pressure to speed up the process since Spain, Norway, and Ireland announced they would go ahead with recognition.Borrell stated that the actions of the Israeli government, including plans to stop transferring tax revenue earmarked for the Palestinian Authority, could no longer be reconciled with his idea about the state of Israel. He said he would no longer refer to Israel but instead say "Netanyahu government" because it is this government taking these decisions.The EU and its member nations have condemned both the October 7 Hamas-led attack in which militants stormed across the Gaza border into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage, and Israel's ensuing offensive that has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians. The latest attacks have centered on Rafah, where Palestinian health workers said Israeli airstrikes killed at least 45 people Sunday, hit tents for displaced people, and left "numerous" others trapped in flaming debris.Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned that such strikes would have long-standing repercussions. The International Court of Justice demanded on Friday that Israel immediately halt its offensive on Rafah but stopped short of ordering a cease-fire for the Gaza enclave.Albares said Spain and other countries asked Borrell "to provide a list of what measures the European Union could apply to make Israel heed the ICJ's ruling and explain what the EU has done in the past in similar circumstances when there has been a flagrant violation of international law." The joint announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway last week triggered an angry response from Israeli authorities, which summoned the countries' ambassadors in Tel Aviv to the Foreign Ministry.Albares criticized the treatment of European ambassadors in Israel but emphasized that their goal remains recognizing Palestine, achieving a permanent cease-fire as soon as possible, and ultimately achieving definitive peace.