The second vice-prime minister of Spain, Yolanda Díaz, provoked a wave of criticism this Wednesday (22) after citing in a video published on her social networks an expression that is associated with the terrorist group Hamas.
Díaz, who belongs to the left-wing Sumar party, used the expression “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea” at the end of a video commenting on the recognition of the State of Palestine by the Spanish government.
The vice prime minister’s words were interpreted by Israeli authorities as an endorsement of the terrorist group, which uses this expression as a call for the elimination of the State of Israel.
The Israeli ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, expressed disgust and strongly condemned Díaz’s use of the expression.
In statements made on social media, the ambassador stated that “such rhetoric incites hatred and violence, and has no place in a democratic society”.
Radian-Gordon also said the phrase is a “Hamas motto” and emphasized the “unacceptability of such comments, especially coming from a high-ranking government figure.” She expressed “confidence that Spain will honor its commitment to combat anti-Semitism, as set out in the National Plan for the implementation of the European strategy for combating anti-Semitism and promoting Jewish life.”
“We are completely repulsed by Yolanda Díaz’s statements when using the Hamas motto ‘from the river to the sea’,” he said.
Díaz’s declaration occurred in a significant context, having been made after the announcement that Spain would recognize the State of Palestine from May 28th. In the video, the vice president celebrated this recognition as “an important step”.
The use of the controversial phrase also triggered internal criticism, with political figures such as Madrid’s deputy mayor, María Inmaculada Sanz Otero, denouncing what she considers to be a “clear example of anti-Semitism”. Sanz highlighted the “incompatibility of such a stance with democratic values” and condemned Díaz’s statements absolutely.
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