Albares sees the "incident" with Israel settled and says that Belarra is not an "authorized voice" to talk about foreign policy

The minister disgraced the Israeli ambassador for the "unfriendly gesture" of the statement against members of the Government

The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has settled the "specific incident" with Israel over the statements of some members of the Government regarding the Hamas attack, while emphasizing that the only "authorized voices" to talk about foreign policy are the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and himself.

Albares revealed that on Monday afternoon he spoke with the Israeli ambassador in Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, to convey his "deep displeasure" at the statement issued by the legation, in which "certain elements" of the Executive were accused of align with Hamas terrorism.

In the press conference after the Council of Ministers, Albares called said statement an "unfriendly gesture", to which the Government responded with one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling the Israeli accusations "falsehoods".

Thus, the minister has considered "settled" what he described as "a specific incident" with Israel, pointing out that the other party would also have understood it in the same way. As he indicated, "the final conclusion" of his conversation with the Israeli ambassador was the shared will to "work together so that the friendship between Spain and Israel remains as it has been until now."

On the other hand, the minister did not want to evaluate the statements made in recent days by the Minister of Social Rights and leader of Podemos, Ione Belarra, who among other things has asked to take Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC). for the alleged war crimes being committed in Gaza.

"In every government there are different opinions, much more so in a coalition government," he argued, highlighting that in the past it has even happened with "one-color" executives. "One does not come to the press conference of the Council of Ministers to comment on opinions but to explain policies," he defended himself, in the face of journalists' insistence on whether he believed that Belarra had gone too far with his words.

Albares has made it clear that each minister has his "perimeter" and manages "specific policies." "As far as foreign policy is concerned, it is very evident that there are only two authorized voices, that of the President of the Government, of course, and that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs," he stressed, emphasizing that this is something known worldwide. because it happens in all countries and therefore it does not have to be explained to any country, not even to Israel.

He also did not want to comment on Sumar's request to include recognition of the Palestinian State in the coalition agreement. Regarding this issue, he has limited himself to emphasizing that peace will only come to the Middle East "through the solution of two states" that coexist peacefully as endorsed by the United Nations and also by the resolution approved unanimously by the Congress of Deputies. in 2014.

CLEAR POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT

The head of diplomacy took the opportunity to reiterate the "clear position" of the Spanish Government "from the first minute in which the attack by Hamas took place. "We condemn the terrorist attack by a terrorist organization (...), we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages and we regret and deplore all the innocent victims that are being produced," he said.

Likewise, he continued, "we recognize Israel's right to defend itself against this terrorist attack" but he stressed that "any action taken to repel this terrorist attack must be in compliance with International Law and International Humanitarian Law."

In this sense, he has made it clear that "we must differentiate between terrorist objectives and the civilian population of Gaza", who must be guaranteed access to basic supplies such as water or electricity.

As he did last week after the controversy with Brussels over the announcement of the suspension and then review of EU development aid with Palestine, the minister has insisted that this must be maintained and has made clear the will to also maintain this aid. at a bilateral level.

In this sense, he has announced that the first package of one million euros for humanitarian aid to Gaza already announced will surely be followed by others given the prospect of increased needs in the coastal territory. In line with this, he has opted for the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of assistance and has assured that the Spanish Cooperation is "prepared" to participate if necessary.

SPANISH IN GAZA

Regarding the Spaniards who are trapped in Gaza, of whom he did not want to give specific figures although the head of Defense, Margarita Robles, pointed out that there would be around 120, the minister has explained that Foreign Affairs already has a "census" of those who want to leave the Strip.

He also did not want to offer details about what the evacuation operation would be like if necessary, ensuring that "when it ends successfully" all the pertinent information will be provided.

Albares has confirmed that he is in contact with his counterparts in the region and also with different international organizations "to be able to carry out this evacuation operation of the Spaniards in Gaza as soon as possible under safe conditions."