Spanish PM: Europe’s Response to Israel’s Gaza Genocide Has Been a “Failure”
London (Quds News Network)- Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has described Europe and the west’s response to Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip as one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century.
In an interview with the Guardian before talks with UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, in London on Wednesday, Sánchez has warned that Europe and the west’s double standards over the wars in Ukraine and Gaza threaten to undermine its global standing.
Sánchez – the first senior European leader to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza – said he was pleased that other European nations were following Spain’s lead in recognising a Palestinian state, but accepted Europe’s response had been poor.
“It is a failure,” he said.
“Absolutely. It is also the reality that, within the European Union, there are countries that are divided when it comes to how to influence Israel. But in my opinion, it’s not acceptable and we can’t last longer if we want to increase our credibility when it comes to other crises, such as the one we face in Ukraine.”
“The roots of these wars are completely different but, at the end of the day, the world is looking at the EU and also at western society and asking: ‘Why are you doing double standards when it comes to Ukraine and when it comes to Gaza?’”
Sánchez said he was pushing Europe to do more, including punishing Israel financially.
“What we’re now witnessing in Gaza is perhaps one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century, and in this regard what I have to say is that Spain has been very vocal within the EU and also within the international community,” he said.
“Within the EU, what we have done so far is advocate to suspend the strategic partnership that the EU has with Israel.”
Spain has been critical of Israel’s war on Gaza, and in October 2023, pledged to stop selling weapons to Israel. In February 2024, it said it also would not buy weapons from Israel.
In April, Spain also canceled a deal with another Israeli company, following pressure from ministers in the government.
Last year, Spain recognised the State of Palestine in a joint move with Ireland and Norway.
After resuming its assault on March 18 following a fragile ceasefire, Israel has pledged to intensify its war on Gaza. Since March 2, it has also blocked the entry of food, fuel and aid into the enclave, defying an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it must allow humanitarian access. The death toll in Gaza has now reached over 60,000, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
