Spain recognizes Israel as Jewish homeland, for first time

FM Jimenez's UN speech is particularly dramatic since Spain is considered a leading EU country to support Palestinian rights.

Jimenez’s speech before the United Nations
General Assembly is particularly dramatic in light of the fact that
Spain is considered the leading EU country to support Palestinian
rights. Adopting such a pro-Israel stance may lead to other countries to
follow suit.

The foreign minister stressed Spain’s commitment to Israel “as the
embodiment of the project to create a homeland for the Jewish people.”
She recounted how since Israel’s inception, it has suffered through many
wars and terrorism against its people, adding that Israel’s security is
a top priority for Spain.

Jimenez called for the establishment of a
Palestinian state along 1967 lines, with agreed swaps and Jerusalem as a
shared capital with Israel.

“The security of Israel and Palestine will
require effective guarantees in the future peace agreement, including a
possible international participation, should the parties request it,”
the Spanish foreign minister said. She made clear that the best way to
achieve such a deal would be through a negotiated peace treaty.

The Spanish foreign minister also addressed
“the painful drama of the Palestinian refugees”, presenting a new policy
on this issue as well. She said that the refugee problem should be
justly agreed upon by both Israel and the Palestinians, while still
preserving Israel’s character as a Jewish state.

Jimenez said that Spain supports the General
Assembly granting Palestine the status of a non member observer state,
explaining that the international community must show that it is
committed to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

“Effective, sustainable peace can only be
achieved through negotiations between the parties,” she stressed,
clarifying that “Spain believes that the Palestinians could find in this
new status a stimulus for the prompt resumption of negotiations.”

She also warned that this new status should not be abused or used in a way that is incompatible with the spirit of negotiations.

Jimenez recounted Spain’s longstanding
support for the Palestinians’ struggle against the occupation; however,
she also emphasized Spain and the Jewish people’s centuries-long
relationship.

“Spain’s identity cannot be understood without her Arab and Jewish heritage,” she added.