Israeli Foreign Minister Decries ‘Distorted Step’ in Recognizing Palestinian Statehood

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said on Wednesday Israel had ordered an immediate recall of its ambassadors to Ireland, Spain, and Norway in response to those nations’ decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.

Katz said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state undermined Israel’s right to self-defense and efforts to return the 128 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

“Israel will not remain silent. We are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, the removal of Hamas, and the return of the hostages. There are no more justified goals than these,” Katz said.

He attacked the decision, saying, “The distorted step taken by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the Oct. 7 victims. It provides support to Hamas’s jihadists and Iran, and distances the prospect of peace.”