Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed pride in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that disrupted the Vuelta a España, commending Spain’s solidarity with Gaza despite mounting security and political concerns, according to France 24.
Sánchez has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s genocide in Gaza that continued for two years, killing more than 66,000 Palestinians.
Spain, alongside Ireland and Norway, recognized the Palestinian state in May 2024.
In October 2023, Spain decided to stop selling any weapons to the Israeli occupation because of its bloody war in Gaza.
Moreover, the government pledged to stop purchasing any ammunition from Israel in 2024 due to its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Calling Israel “Genocidal State”
In May, Sánchez called Israel a “genocidal state” during his speech in the Spanish parliament, stating that Madrid “does not do business” with such a country, Spanish media reported.
The PM’s remarks came as a response to a provocative comment from an anti-Israel member of parliament who condemned Spain’s trade relations with what he called the “genocide state” of Israel.
Sanchez’s comments sparked anger in Israel, prompting Israel’s Foreign Ministry to summon the Spanish Ambassador, Ana Salomon, for a formal reprimand in Jerusalem.
Excluding Israel from Eurovision
The PM said that the Eurovision song contest should exclude Israel over its war in Gaza in May.
Sanchez’s remarks come after protests against Israeli participation marked last weekend’s extravaganza in Switzerland.
Russians have not been allowed to take part in the competition because of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine.
“Therefore, Israel shouldn’t either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture,” Sanchez said at an event in Madrid.
During his speech, the Spanish PM stressed Spain’s commitment to applying the international law and human rights nothing that “Europe’s should be too.”
Urging EU to Suspend Cooperation with Israel
In June, Sanchez also called on the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel.
The Spanish PM shed light on a recent human rights report by the EU’s diplomatic service which tackled “the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza.”
Sanchez said it was “more than obvious” that Israel was violating its obligations and that the bloc should suspend the cooperation deal “immediately.”
Calling for Full UN Membership for Palestine
Sanchez urged the admission of a Palestinian state to the United Nations after a French-led summit on recognition, according to Arab News.
He noted that the State of Palestine must have a full membership of the United Nations.
“The process for the State of Palestine to join this organization must be completed as soon as possible, on an equal footing with other states,” he added.
At the same time, he urged for immediate measures to put an end to Israel’s barbarian war in Gaza and ensure the safety of the Palestinian people.
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