Spain backtracks on support for Palestinian statehood

The Spanish ambassador said the statements by the foreign minister, Trinidad Jimenez, were "taken out of context." [1] Jimenez had said that "there's the feeling that now is the time to do something, to give the Palestinians the hope that a state could become reality ... We have to give them some signal, because if we don't it could generate great frustration for the Palestinian people."

Again, "hope" does not make a governable state, and policy-making geared toward speculation on people's emotions is presumptuous and ultimately a gamble, hoping for hope.

The new Spanish stance is that the country's support depends on the nature of the Palestinian request. They are still unwilling, [2] unlike their former prime minister, to say "no" outright. "Jerusalem rebukes Spanish envoy over PA statement," by Ronen Medzini for [3] YNet News, August 22:

The Foreign Ministry summoned Spain's ambassador to Israel on Monday, following a statement by Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez suggesting that Madrid will support the Palestinian Authority UN bid for statehood in September.

Naor Gilon, head of the Foreign Ministry's European Division, expressed disappointment in Jimenez's statement, saying Madrid's stance was surprising "especially given the excellent bilateral relations between the two nations."

Spanish Ambassador Alvaro Iranzo explained that Foreign Minister Jimenez' statements were taken somewhat out of context, adding that Spain's position on the matter was contingent on both the EU's stance and the phrasing of the Palestinians' request.

Iranzo stressed that Madrid would not be able to support the PA's bid unless it was "phrased in a balanced way and addresses the need the resume negotiations between the parties, and maintain Israel's security. Without these parameters, Spain will not be able to support the request."...

There is also the matter of the PA's reconciliation with Hamas, which makes no secret of its intentions to destroy Israel. The PA cannot commit to "maintain Israel's security" and commit to share governance with Hamas.