World Jewish News

In speech to Spanish parliament, Israeli Presidentr Rivlin says Spain's problems are 'internal'

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin addressed the Cortes, the Spanish house of representatives Tuesday, in a plenary session of both houses of the Spanish parliament. The President was received by both President of the Senate, Pío García-Escudero Márquez, and President of the Congress of Deputies, Ana María Pastor Julián.

During his speech, Rivlin addressed the issue of Catalan separatism and expressed his hopes that the issue be solved soon, “Spain is one country for us, and the problems it faces these days are internal.”, said Rivlin, “Our relations with all the citizens of Spain are dear to us, and we pray that the current challenge will be solved through understanding,” he added.

Rivlin also took the opportunity to emphasize the important role Spain must play in order to combat BDS, “I expect Spain to continue to be a voice that emphasizes the importance of cooperation, a voice that opposes boycotts,” adding that “anyone who tries to harm the State of Israel by means of boycotts is personally sabotaging the chances of ever reaching a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and will find themselves on the wrong side of history.”

The President also spoke of Iran and the threat posed by its persistent calls to wipe Israel off the map, “Iranian threats to destroy Israel cannot be tolerated. We have a clear expectation from Israel’s friends across the world to choose a side, not to accept attempts again to eradicate the Jewish people, neither by deeds or words.”

Later, President Rivlin spoke to the Spanish Manufacturers Association, praising Spanish-Israeli trade, and expressing his hopes for further cooperation between the countries, stating that “our economies complement one another, cultivate one another, and strengthen one another.”

EJP