Israel has announced that it has rejected Spain's request to lift restrictions imposed on its consulate located in occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz made a statement regarding the matter on his social media account.
Katz stated that he rejected the request from Spanish Foreign Minister Manuel Albares to lift the restrictions placed on Spain's consulate in East Jerusalem.
Claiming that the connection between Spain's consulate in East Jerusalem and Palestinians residing in the occupied West Bank would be "a threat to Israel's national security," Katz noted that this would be completely prohibited.
Katz stated that the restrictions on Spain's consulate in East Jerusalem would be "strictly enforced," adding, "If violations occur, additional measures will be taken, which could go as far as closing the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem."
Following Spain's announcement that it would recognize the State of Palestine, the Israeli Foreign Ministry had requested that the Spanish consulate in East Jerusalem stop providing services to Palestinians residing in the West Bank as of June 1.
Spanish Foreign Minister Albares had stated in an interview with a local radio station that he had called on the Tel Aviv administration to reverse this decision.
News Source: AA
