PEOPLES WORLD
On Wednesday, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority in response to Norway, Spain, and Ireland recognizing the State of Palestine.
Smotrich proposed an immediate meeting to approve 10,000 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and urged the cabinet to establish new Jewish settlements for each country that recognizes Palestine. He also directed a strategic plan for constructing three new settlements and suggested stopping financial transfers to the Palestinian Authority via Norway, canceling VIP permits for Palestinian officials, and imposing additional fines.
In contrast, the announcements by Norway, Spain, and Ireland were celebrated by Palestinian leaders. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared their countries’ recognition of Palestine, emphasizing their commitment to international law and support for Palestinian self-determination.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the declarations as a sign of growing international support, while the PLO highlighted the recognition as a triumph of truth and justice. Israel, however, responded with anger, summoning its ambassadors from the three countries for emergency consultations and warning of serious repercussions.
