ALBAWABA - Days after its official announcement to recognize the State of Palestine, Israel ordered the Spanish consulate to stop offering consular services for Palestinians of the West Bank starting June 1.
Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement claiming that Spain's consulate in Jerusalem is "authorized to provide consular services to residents of the consular district of Jerusalem only, and is not authorized to provide services or perform consular activity vis-a-vis residents of the Palestinian Authority".
Some deem this order as a retaliatory movement against Palestinians, at a time when Spain said it would officially recognize the state of Palestine.
Earlier in May, Spain, along with several other EU members announced that it would be recognizing the State of Palestine as an official state. Spain joined joining 142+ states of the United Nations that recognize Palestine's sovereignty.
In recent weeks, European Union members Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta hinted that they intended to make a recognition announcement, stating that a two-state solution was required for long-term stability in the region.
Since 1988, 139 of the UN's 193 member states have officially recognized Palestinian statehood. The Irish government has previously stated that recognition would strengthen peace efforts and support a two-state solution.
Earlier in April, Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting renewed consideration of its membership application.
The State of Palestine was admitted as an observer state to the UN General Assembly in 2012, allowing its envoy to participate in discussions and UN bodies but not vote.
The supporters' letter to the council president named 140 countries that have recognized Palestine as a state, including members of the United Nations' 22-nation Arab Group, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the 120-member Nonaligned Movement.
On September 23, 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presented the Palestinian Authority's application to become the 194th member of the United Nations to then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before speaking to world leaders at the General Assembly.
