Spanish Prime Minister Calls for Suspension of EU-Israel Partnership

SadaNews - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for the suspension of the strategic partnership between the European Union and Israel, stating that Europe’s response to the Gaza war has been weak and failed.

Sánchez, in statements reported by The Guardian, noted that the double standards regarding Gaza threaten to undermine the West's standing globally, considering that the United States, under Donald Trump's leadership, is seeking to end the global order established after World War II.

Sánchez added that the joining of European countries to Spain in recognizing a Palestinian state is welcome, but he criticized the division within the European Union regarding how to influence Israel, stressing that this situation is unacceptable.

The Spanish Prime Minister stated that Europe's reaction to what he described as "the conflict in Gaza" was "a failure" and risks undermining its global credibility.

According to the British news agency (PA Media), Sánchez - the first European leader to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza - said before his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London for The Guardian that the conflict represents one of the darkest episodes in international relations of the 21st century. He added, "This is a failure."

He explained that realistically within the European Union, there are divided countries regarding how to influence Israel.

He said, "But in my view, this is unacceptable and cannot continue for long if we want to enhance our credibility when it comes to other crises, such as the one we are facing in Ukraine."

EU foreign ministers are divided over the war in Gaza, with some calling for the bloc to exert strong economic pressure on Israel, while others have made it clear that they are not prepared to go that far.