Diplomatic ambitions of Spain exceed its actual influence

On Tuesday, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in Jordan on the sidelines of a conference focused on aid to Gaza.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Mikati expressed his gratitude to the Spanish government for its "continuous support to Lebanon in all areas, particularly through Spain's active participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)." 

He also congratulated Prime Minister Sanchez on Spain’s decision to "officially recognize the State of Palestine following its vote at the United Nations in favor of full membership for the State of Palestine."

Pedro Sanchez is known for his strong pro-Palestinian stance, one of the few European leaders to hold such a position. His government’s decision to recognize Palestine underscores Spain's commitment to Palestinian statehood and reflects a broader advocacy for Palestinian rights within the international community.

However, during the conversation, Sanchez did not address the daily attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli territory. This omission highlights a significant gap in Spain's diplomatic approach, as Hezbollah's actions remain a critical issue in the regional conflict.

The Spanish diplomatic corps is perceived to have limited influence in broader Middle Eastern geopolitics. Pedro Sanchez's partisan stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is seen as potentially undermining Spain's diplomatic effectiveness, particularly in fostering balanced and comprehensive peace initiatives.