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Source: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/The-opening-of-a-Spanish-consulate-in-Gaza-310734
The Opening of a Spanish Consulate in Gaza
(Jerusalem Post) Alan Baker - Spain announced on March 14, 2013, that it would open a Spanish consulate in Gaza, accredited to the Hamas administration. Opening a consulate in Gaza is incompatible with the provisions of the 1995 Oslo II agreement, under which the Palestinians are committed not to exercise powers in the sphere of foreign relations, and specifically not to permit the establishment of diplomatic or consular posts in the West Bank or Gaza. In opening a consulate in Gaza, Spain would be in violation of the Interim Agreement, in contravention of the EU's status as signatory and witness to the agreement. Furthermore, the opening by Spain of a consulate in Gaza would be seen universally as a formal act of diplomatic recognition of Hamas by Spain, in direct contravention of the EU designation of Hamas as a terror organization. Moreover, Spain's foreign minister might consider recent expressions by Hamas bodies calling for Spain to be returned to Muslim rule as "Al Andalus," and calling for acts of martyrdom, suicide bombings and resistance as the way to achieve this. The writer is former legal adviser to Israel's Foreign Ministry and former ambassador to Canada.