Israel has recalled its ambassadors to Norway, Ireland and Spain after the three countries said they would recognize a Palestinian state amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said during a Wednesday press conference.
Israel’s foreign ministry then ordered immediate recalls of its ambassadors to the three countries, according to its website. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also summoned the ambassadors of Spain, Norway and Ireland in Israel “for a severe reprimand conversation.”
“History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists, who raped girls and burned babies, with a gold medal,” Katz said in a statement.
“I ordered the ambassadors to be immediately summoned for a reprimand conversation, during which they will watch the horrifying footage of the abduction of the female field observers to illustrate to them what a twisted decision their governments have made. Israel will not let this silently pass us by — their actions will have serious consequences,” he added.
The Hamas attack killed more than 1,100 people in Israel on Oct. 7, and about 240 people were also captured as hostages and brought into Gaza by the militants. The ensuing war in Gaza has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians and caused more than 1 million Palestinians to be displaced from their homes.
The Associated Press reported that Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to Muslims and Jews, in response to the announcement by Ireland, Norway and Spain.
“We will not even allow a statement about a Palestinian state,” he said.
The formal recognition of a Palestinian state by Norway, Ireland and Spain, which is largely a symbolic gesture, is slated for May 28, the AP noted.
The United Nations General Assembly backed the Palestinian bid to be eligible for a full U.N. membership earlier this month, but the U.S. and eight other countries opposed the bid. This comes after the U.S. vetoed the Palestinian request to be recognized as a member state of the during a Security Council vote last month.
The U.S. has expressed some support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians amid the Gaza war, but Israel has opposed the idea of an independent Palestinian state.
The Associated Press contributed.