Top EU official: time ripe for Israel to accept criticism

“Recognizing the Palestinian state is not a gift to Hamas, quite the contrary. Reinforcing the Palestinian Authority is not reinforcing Hamas; quite the contrary. It’s aimed at giving greater strength to the part of Palestinian society which we recognize and with which we work,” he said in statements published by Politico Magazine Friday.

Borrell’s remarks follow moves by Ireland, Norway and Spain to officially recognize Palestine as a state from next week, which triggered fury in Israel.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Friday: “I have decided to sever the connection between Spain’s representation in Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank.”

Borrell, however, isn’t impressed with Israel’s response.

“Israel needs to accept that it can be criticized by people who do not believe that it is doing things well, and what is happening in Gaza is certainly worrying people in Europe and around the world,” the EU’s foreign policy chief added.

While none of the G7 nations recognizes Palestine, more than 140 of the 193 members of the United Nations do.