In a symbolic gesture, Spain officially recognized a Palestinian state during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. However, this decision will have minimal practical diplomatic impact for now, as the Spanish government has decided against opening an embassy in Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
According to sources from the Foreign Ministry who spoke with the Spanish digital newspaper Ok Diario, one reason behind this decision is that diplomats currently stationed at the Consulate General in Jerusalem or the embassy in Tel Aviv prefer not to relocate from Israeli territory. "It's absurd to recognize Palestine without opening an embassy to formalize it, as Ireland has done," these sources stated, criticizing the government's stance.
Today, I rejected @jmalbares's request to lift the restrictions imposed on the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem.
The State of Israel will not remain silent in the face of the Spanish government's unilateral decision to recognize a Hamas-led Palestinian state @sanchezcastejon and…
— ישראל כ"ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 31, 2024
Diplomatic sources cited political considerations and practical issues influencing the decision not to establish a diplomatic presence in Palestinian territory. Staffing an embassy in Ramallah would require personnel from the Consulate General in Jerusalem and the embassy in Tel Aviv. However, none of these diplomats wish to move from major Israeli cities to the West Bank due to concerns about "quality of life and security." Recruiting staff from Madrid or other countries would increase costs, and they argue that a West Bank posting would not be an "appealing" embassy assignment for diplomats due to various challenges. For instance, to catch a flight, one must either cross into Jordan or obtain permission from Israel to fly from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
In contrast, Ireland has announced plans to open an embassy in Ramallah and is already searching for an ambassador to lead this delegation. Around 40 embassies from countries recognizing a Palestinian state are already present in Ramallah.
Immediately after the official recognition of a Palestinian state, Israel responded with another diplomatic measure against Spain. The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, had already announced on X that "Any connection between the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem and individuals in the Palestinian Authority poses a threat to Israel's national security and will be completely prohibited. We will strictly enforce these guidelines – if violations occur, additional measures will be taken, up to the closure of the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem."
This decision was also influenced by a video of Spain's Second Deputy Prime Minister, Yolanda Díaz, who, supporting the recognition, used the slogan employed by Hamas terrorists: "From the river to the sea." This phrase refers to radical Palestinians' aspiration to claim all territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, which includes Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip – essentially implying the elimination of Israelis.
Following the announcement, the Israeli government threatened to "hurt those who hurt it," emphasizing that "the times of the Inquisition are over." They detailed that the order prohibiting the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem from serving Palestinians will take effect on June 1, part of Israel's response to Madrid's decision.
