- Home
- Israel Hamas War
- Spain's PM Says Palestinian Recognition Is 'in Europe's Interest'
©(Thomas COEX / AFP)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez insisted on Wednesday that the recognition of a Palestinian state, long resisted by Israel and its key allies, is "in Europe's geopolitical interests."
Sanchez warned that Israel's "disproportionate response" in the Gaza war with Hamas risks "destabilizing the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world."
Sanchez had already raised the subject of statehood during a visit last week to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, when he indicated that Spain could recognize Palestine as a nation by the end of June.
"The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognize its existence," Sanchez told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Since the start of the war in Gaza more than six months ago, the socialist premier has been pushing for Europe to accord such recognition.
In late March, Sanchez signed a joint statement alongside his Irish, Maltese and Slovenian counterparts announcing that they were ready "to recognize Palestine" if that could help bring about a resolution to the conflict.
He is also due to meet with several other leaders, including those of Norway and Portugal, in the coming days to discuss the issue, Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria said on Tuesday.
Speaking on Wednesday, Sanchez said that Israel's "absolutely disproportionate response" had "overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilize the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world."
With AFP
Sanchez warned that Israel's "disproportionate response" in the Gaza war with Hamas risks "destabilizing the Middle East, and as a consequence, the entire world."
Sanchez had already raised the subject of statehood during a visit last week to Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, when he indicated that Spain could recognize Palestine as a nation by the end of June.
"The international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognize its existence," Sanchez told lawmakers on Wednesday.
Since the start of the war in Gaza more than six months ago, the socialist premier has been pushing for Europe to accord such recognition.
In late March, Sanchez signed a joint statement alongside his Irish, Maltese and Slovenian counterparts announcing that they were ready "to recognize Palestine" if that could help bring about a resolution to the conflict.
He is also due to meet with several other leaders, including those of Norway and Portugal, in the coming days to discuss the issue, Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria said on Tuesday.
Speaking on Wednesday, Sanchez said that Israel's "absolutely disproportionate response" had "overturned decades of humanitarian law and threatened to destabilize the Middle East and, as a consequence, the whole world."
With AFP
Comments