CAIRO: Spain, Ireland and Norway are due to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Tuesday _ a step so far taken by more than 140 UN members but few Western powers.

Israel, which charges the move amounts to “rewarding terrorism”, announced punitive steps on Monday against Madrid, ordering its consulate in Jerusalem to stop offering consular services to Palestinians from June 1.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said “whoever gives an award to Hamas and tries to establish a Palestinian terrorist state will not be in contact with the Palestinians”.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares had said on Sunday Madrid saw recognition of statehood as bringing “justice for the Palestinian people (and) the best guarantee of security for Israel”.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2024