Israeli Government To Summon Belgian And Spanish Ambassadors Over Remarks On Gaza

The Israeli government has announced that it will summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors following remarks by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo on the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli government announced on Friday that it would summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors following remarks made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo on the war between Israel and Hamas.

Criticism of Israel

The announcement came after the two leaders criticised Israel for the suffering of Palestinian civilians under Israeli military operations in Gaza. Sánchez also called for European Union recognition of a Palestinian state, saying Spain might do so on its own.

Sánchez's Remarks

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Rafah border crossing in Gaza on Friday, Sánchez said the time had come for the international community and the European Union to once and for all recognise a Palestinian state. He said it would be better if the EU did it together, "but if this is not the case... Spain will take their own decisions”.

Sánchez was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Egypt with de Croo. Spain currently holds the EU’s rotational presidency and Belgium takes over in January.

Sánchez reiterated comments made Thursday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the killing of civilians.

"I also reiterate Israels right to defend itself but it must do so within the parameters and limits imposed by international humanitarian law and this is not the case,” Sánchez said. "The indiscriminate killing of civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable.”

De Croo's Remarks

De Croo did not comment on recognition of a Palestinian state, but said, "first things first, lets stop the violence. Lets liberate the hostages. Lets get the aid inside...the first priority is help people who are suffering.

De Croo stressed the need and hope for a permanent cease-fire, adding that this needs to be built together. And it can only be built together if both parties understand that the solution to this conflict is never going to be violence. A solution to this conflict is that people sit around the table.”

"A military operation needs to respect international humanitarian law. The killing of civilians needs to stop now. Way too many people have died. The destruction of Gaza is unacceptable, he said.

We cannot accept that a society is being destroyed the way it is being destroyed,” he added.

Israeli Response

Israel later lashed out at the two prime ministers "for not placing full responsibility for the crimes against humanity committed by Hamas, who massacred our citizens and used the Palestinians as human shields.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen instructed the countries ambassadors to be summoned for a sharp reprimand. "We condemn the false claims of the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium who give support to terrorism,” Cohen said.

"Israel is acting according to international law and fighting a murderous terrorist organisation worse than the Islamic State group that commits war crimes and crimes against humanity.