La Vanguardia
Madrid, Nov. 15, 2007
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, affirmed tonight in Madrid that Spain will be together with Israel "in whatever situation", and assured that the responsibility with that country is "absolute".
"Spain, modestly, whatever the situation, will stand next to Israel although sometimes our country, our government, doesn't act clearly in favor of peace, in favor of Israel." [? it isn't a bad translation, but it is a longish imprecise statement] This statement was made when Moratinos gave the ex president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Jordi Pujol, the "Senator Angel Pulido" prize -- given by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain. The foreign minister assured those who know him that the commitment "of friendship, of help and commitment" so that Israel can live "in peace and security" is "absolute and total" because, in his judgment, it is the "only means to eliminate fanaticism". At the same time, he described as "extremely productive" the meeting held during the past Ibero American Summit with the representatives of the Latin American Jewish communities who also expressed their intention to meet again next year in Toledo.
On that occasion, he indicated, he gave his full support so that this conference with the Jewish communities in Ibero America will be celebrated so that "the friendship between Spain and the Jewish world" will continue. Furthermore, Moratinos recognized the work of the Casa Sefarat, whom he offered the full support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote initiatives and activities that contribute and help the Jewish community.
