Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Thursday his readiness to deploy troops to Palestine for vital peacekeeping missions. He addressed a gathering of Spanish ambassadors in Madrid to outline this significant shift in Spain’s regional foreign policy.
Sanchez clarified his intent to seek legislative approval for the mission as soon as conditions on the ground allow. “I will propose to parliament, when the opportunity presents itself, that we send peacekeeping troops to Palestine, once we can see how to advance this task of pacification,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized that Spain maintains a deep moral and political commitment to the Palestinian people. Consequently, he argued that Spain must play a leading role in the region’s recovery. “Of course, we have not forgotten Palestine and the Gaza Strip… Spain must actively participate in rebuilding hope in Palestine. The situation there remains intolerable,” Sanchez added.
Expanding Global Security Efforts
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to reaffirm Spain’s broader commitment to international stability beyond the Middle East. Sanchez reiterated his support for sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to help manage the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Spain continues to lead European calls for a ceasefire while maintaining a critical stance on the current military operations. The Spanish government officially recognized the State of Palestine in 2024 to signal its support for a two-state solution. This decision followed intense domestic pressure to address a war that has claimed more than 70,000 Palestinian lives.
During a previous meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Sanchez advocated for increased global awareness of the crisis. He described the conditions in the territory as a “dramatic situation” that requires immediate intervention from the international community.
Spain intends to coordinate with its European partners to ensure any future troop deployment meets strict international legal standards. Therefore, the government will continue to monitor the diplomatic landscape before presenting a formal proposal to the Spanish parliament.
