Yolanda Díaz, Spain's Labor Minister and third-in-command in the Spanish government, is under fire from Israel for saying that "Palestine will be free from the river to the sea," a phrase associated with Palestinian nationalism that does not recognize the State of Israel.

"Today we celebrate that Spain has recognized the Palestinian State (...). We cannot stop. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea," Díaz said in a video posted on social media.

Israel's ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, accused the government official, who is also the leader of the left-wing Sumar party, of making a "clear call for the elimination of Israel, fomenting hatred and violence." 

"Anti-Semitic proclamations have no place in a democratic society, and it is absolutely intolerable that they were uttered by a deputy prime minister," she denounced on the social network X. 

Nuestra total repulsa a las declaraciones de Yolanda Díaz, Vicepresidenta Segunda del gobierno, al utilizar el lema de Hamás "desde el río hasta el mar". Esta expresión es un llamamiento claro a la eliminación de Israel, fomentando el odio y la violencia. Las proclamas… https://t.co/59br0hvp0I

— Embajadora de Israel 🇮🇱 (@Isr_Amb_Esp) May 23, 2024

Radian-Gordon also said that she had been summoned by her foreign minister for meetings in Israel, following Spain's decision to recognize the Palestinian State.

"I regret having to return to Israel because of the futile decisions made by the Spanish government, which will not contribute to peace and security in the Middle East, nor will they facilitate the release of our 128 hostages still in the hands of Hamas," she wrote.

"Thank you very much to all the friends of Israel for your continued support. I hope that the bonds of friendship between Israel and Spain will be stronger than the voices that aspire to separate us," she added.

The Foreign Ministry also considered it "a disgrace that Spain's deputy prime minister has openly called for the destruction of Israel." 

It should be noted that on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain will recognize Palestine as a State next Tuesday, May 28.

Other countries will do the same, also on Tuesday, as Norway and Ireland have already confirmed.

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