People celebrating after the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona voted on Friday to declare independence from Spain. Photo: Screenshot / BBC News.

Israel decided on Monday it will not respond to Spain’s request of it to publicly state opposition to Catalan independence, the Hebrew news site nrg reported.

Spain, the report said, made the appeal to Israel after the regional parliament in Barcelona voted on Friday to declare independence. That vote came amidst the ongoing dispute over the referendum held in the autonomous region of northeastern Spain at the start of this month, in which 92% of participants cast ballots in favor of a full separation from Madrid.

As of yet, no country has expressed support for Catalan independence. In response to the Catalan parliament’s move, the Spanish Senate on Friday approved measures to enable the government in Madrid to reimpose direct rule over Catalonia.

Israel has two reasons to consider backing Catalan independence, according to the nrg report. First, there is much sympathy for Israel among residents of the region. And second, Spain has been a frequent critic of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

However, the report went on to say, Israel would likely pay a diplomatic price if it was to go against the international consensus on Catalonia.