Spain has indicated its willingness to unilaterally recognize Palestine as an independent state if the European Union does not take similar action, Spain’s Recognition of Palestinian State.
This stance was articulated during a press conference by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. Sánchez emphasized that the temporary ceasefire in Gaza is insufficient, advocating for a permanent ceasefire.
The Spanish Prime Minister expressed that Spain might “make its own decision regarding the recognition of a Palestinian state if the European Union fails to do so.” This follows a statement by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who noted Madrid’s support for recognizing the Palestinian state in the very near future.
Regarding the temporary truce in Gaza, Sánchez stated that the current ceasefire is not adequate and called for a permanent cessation of hostilities. He demanded the release of more prisoners and a lasting ceasefire. A four-day truce between Hamas and Israel began this Friday, involving a partial prisoner exchange.
Reuters reported that Israel summoned the ambassadors of Belgium and France today in response to statements made by the leaders of these two countries at the Rafah crossing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the statements made by the Belgian and Spanish Prime Ministers, accusing them of not holding Hamas accountable for its crimes. The two European leaders met with Israeli officials in occupied Jerusalem on Thursday and with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in occupied Ramallah.
Earlier, the European leaders condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza and called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
In response to these developments, the leader of Spain’s left-wing Podemos party, Ione Belarra, criticized Prime Minister Sánchez and the European Union for not responding adequately to Israel. She stated that Sánchez’s visit to occupied Jerusalem, where he met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu, could inadvertently exonerate Netanyahu, whom she labeled a war criminal deserving of trial at the International Criminal Court.
Belarra suggested that Sánchez should instead focus on Brussels, where decisions are made, and called for economic sanctions and an arms embargo against Netanyahu and his team, similar to those imposed on Russian President Vladimir Putin. She urged the European Union to temporarily or permanently cut diplomatic ties with Israel.
Belarra, as a former Minister of Social Rights, has previously made strong statements against Israel and advocated for severing diplomatic relations with the country.
The Podemos party, though part of the smaller partner in the new ruling coalition Sumar, has noted that Belarra’s anti-Israel stance prevented her from obtaining a ministerial position, reflecting Sánchez’s reluctance to adopt a harsh stance against Israel within the government.
Over the past 48 days, the Israeli army has waged a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in 14,854 Palestinian casualties, including 6,150 children, over 4,000 women, and approximately 7,000 missing, in addition to more than 36,000 injuries.
For more detailed information, please visit dzwatch.net. Spain’s Recognition of Palestinian State.
