OThe United States warned Israel, this Wednesday, not to withhold funds destined for the Palestinian Authority, as part of the new step taken today by Europe.
The warning was made after Ireland, Norway and Spain announced that they will recognize Palestine as a state on May 28.
After the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the countries in question, saying that this recognition is “a reward for terrorism”, in reference to Palestinian armed groups, and that it “will not bring peace” to the region.
The Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, also pointed the finger at these nations, demanding harsh punitive measures.” Quoted by the newspaper The Times of Israel, Smotrich announced that he will cut the transfer of fiscal funds to the Palestinian administrative body – which led Washington reacting.
“I think it is wrong from a strategic point of view, because withholding funds destabilizes the West Bank, undermines the pursuit of security and prosperity for the Palestinian people, which is in Israel’s interests, and I think it is wrong to withhold funds that provide goods and basic services to innocent people,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters.
Among other reactions, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has already spoken about the subject, pointing out that possible Portuguese recognition is not for now. “Portugal’s position – which is not that of the Government, or Parliament or the President, but of Portugal as a whole – is to understand that this is not the appropriate time to take this step. When it is appropriate, it will be appropriate”, he explained to journalists, in Rome, Italy.
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Source: https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/2566385/palestina-como-estado-israel-ameaca-cortes-eua-avisam-que-e-errado
