Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday urged other European Union members to support Madrid and Ireland’s call for the suspension of the EU's free trade agreement with Israel, citing the country's actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Pedro Sanchez and Emmanuel Macron © Mena Today
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday urged other European Union members to support Madrid and Ireland’s call for the suspension of the EU's free trade agreement with Israel, citing the country's actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Spain and Ireland have been in talks with other EU nations for months, seeking a revision of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. They argue that Israel may be violating the human rights clause of the agreement in its conduct of military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Since the start of the Gaza conflict on October 7, Sanchez has adopted a strongly critical stance towards Israel. This aligns with the long-standing position of Spain’s socialist party and its far-left allies.
Along with French President Emmanuel Macron, Sanchez has called for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel as a step towards achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
This position, however, appears unrealistic and even laughable, as Sanchez and Macron's approach ignores the broader geopolitical dynamics.
It's unlikely they will make similar requests for Iran to cease its arms shipments to Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The stance of these European leaders highlights what many see as a form of diplomatic cowardice in addressing the complex conflicts in the Middle East.
By Michel Sfeir
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Wednesday that the government does not plan to deport Palestinians from Gaza, after two Israeli ministers this month floated proposals for the mass removal of Palestinians from the coastal territory.
Israel will open its first embassy in Slovenia on Wednesday in a sign of warming relations after populist Janez Jansa formed a centre-right government following elections in March.
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