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Israel's Chief Diplomat announced on Thursday the reinstatement of the country's envoy to Madrid, Rodica Radian-Gordon, marking a diplomatic shift after her recall by then-Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in November. The recall was prompted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's public questioning of the legality of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.
Sanchez's remarks, made in an interview, drew swift condemnation from Israel, with Cohen deeming them "outrageous." The Spanish Prime Minister expressed "serious doubts" regarding the legality of Israel's conduct in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, as relayed by an Israeli official.
In an interview with Spanish public television, Sanchez emphasized the importance of holding Israel accountable to international humanitarian law. He stated, "the world had to tell Israel it needs to base its actions on international humanitarian law, and with the images we are seeing and the growing number of people dying, especially boys and girls, I have serious doubts."
The decision to recall the Israeli envoy in response to Sanchez's comments underscored the sensitivity and gravity of discussions surrounding Israel's actions. The subsequent move to send back the envoy signals a diplomatic attempt to restore relations and engage in dialogue despite differences in perspective.
The diplomatic ebb and flow between Israel and Spain highlight the intricate nature of international relations, especially when geopolitical tensions intersect with concerns over human rights and international law.
