The Socialist Government of Spain announced on Tuesday (5) that “categorically rejects any Israeli plan to occupy the Gaza Strip.”
The position was communicated by Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, in response to the statement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed to consider the “total occupation” of Palestinian territory.
Albares made it clear that neither Spain nor the European Union “recognizes the legitimacy of attachments of Gaza or West Bank.” The chancellor pointed out that such actions hurt the proposal of two states, considered by Spanish socialist diplomacy as the “only viable solution to conflict.”
The Spanish minister also denounced the Israeli military presence in Gaza, classifying control over the region and the displacement of civilians as “serious violations of international law.” Although not directly labeling Israel’s actions as “genocide”, Albares recalled Spain’s involvement in the ongoing process at the International Court on the subject, under the leadership of South Africa.
In addition, Albares criticized what he considered as “late performance” of the European Union in the face of war in the Middle East and defended the suspension of the association agreement with Israel – a treaty regulating political, commercial and cooperation relations between the parties – citing alleged “daily human rights violations in Gaza”.
