Latest news with #PedroSanchez
DW
17 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Spain slams EU inaction on Israel trade deal – DW – 06/26/2025
Spanish PM Sanchez wants the bloc to suspend a major trade deal with Israel over its Gaza conduct. But that looks unlikely. A brief hardening towards Israel appears to have dissipated after recent tensions with Iran. In the wake of a damning EU review of Israel's human rights record in Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez slammed his colleagues for not moving to suspend a trade deal with Israel despite what he called "the catastrophic situation of genocide." More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave over more than 18 months of Israeli bombardment, according to Hamas-run Gazan authorities. Israel vehemently denies accusations of genocide, maintaining that it is at war with the ruling militant Islamist group Hamas following a massive terror attack on Israeli territory in 2023. In a report distributed to the member states last week based on the findings and allegations of major international bodies, the European External Action Service found "indications" that Israel was breaching its duty to respect to human rights. The document, not public but made available to DW, highlighted possible indiscriminate attacks affecting the civilian population, Israel's blockade on food and medicine plus attacks on medical facilities as potential breaches. "There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations," the report concluded. Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Sanchez said it was "more than obvious that Israel is violating Article 2 of the EU-Israel agreement." "We have had 18 sanctions packages against Russia for its aggression [in Ukraine], and Europe, with its double standards, is not capable of suspending an association agreement," Sanchez said. Spain and Ireland are isolated among the 27 EU states in openly calling for the suspension of the deal in full, a move that would require unanimity and has therefore never been a serious prospect. Greece, Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Bulgaria remain close allies of Israel. Berlin in particular has made its views clear, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz describing the move as "out of the question with the federal [German] government." Doing so would be a major commercial disruption, particularly for Israel, which buys a third of its goods from the EU. The accord, in force since 2000, covers everything from the two sides trading relationship – worth $50 billion each year for goods alone – up to political dialogue, and cooperation on research and technology. Another possibility, requiring only a qualified majority of 15 out of 27, would be the partial suspension of the deal, for example, its provisions on free trade or shutting Israel out of EU research funding programme Horizon. But multiple diplomatic sources told DW that the numbers weren't there either. Earlier in the week, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas officially presented the document to the member states for a first debate, already making clear there would be no immediate moves. "It is not intended to punish Israel, but to trigger concrete improvements for the people and the lives of people in Gaza," she said on Monday. "If the situation does not improve, then we can also discuss further measures and come back to this in July." On Thursday, EU leaders at the summit only "took note" of the report in their joint statement, making no reference to potential rights breaches, and said ministers should revisit the topic next month. At the same time, the 27 leaders deplored the "dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation." Spain has also been calling for an EU embargo on the sale of arms to Israel, with Germany one of the country's major suppliers, as well as more sanctions. However, Berlin recently reaffirmed it would keep selling Israel weapons, and without Germany on board, the move wouldn't have much impact. A few other countries, including Belgium, France and Sweden, have supported imposing additional EU sanctions on Israel, but these too require unanimity. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Echoing Sanchez, Irish leader Michael Martin said he would tell his colleagues at the summit that "the people of Europe find it incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to put pressure on Israel." According to Lisa Musiol of conflict resolution think tank Crisis Group, maximum pressure would entail an arms embargo, large-scale sanctions against members of the government or a full suspension of the Association Agreement. "But almost no European leader speaks about such measures," Musiol told DW in a written statement. "There is probably no foreign policy topic within the EU where member states are so divided." Last month, it looked for a brief moment like the EU was indeed collectively hardening its stance. The Dutch proposed the review of the Association Agreement, and the move was greenlit by a majority of EU states on May 20. This came shortly after France, Britain and Canada issued a rare joint statement condemning Israel's latest offensive in Gaza and described its restrictions on aid as being "wholly disproportionate," and possibly in breach of international humanitarian law. There was a distinctive feeling that policy could be shifting. Musiol of Crisis Group said that that window seemed now to have closed. "It seems that after the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, many member states have fallen into their old positions," she said. "Even those member states that have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel but had started to be more outspoken or critical, such as Germany or Italy, have changed their tone."
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
'Double standards': Spain slams EU inaction on Israel deal
AP image In the wake of a damning EU review of Israel's human rights record in Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez slammed his colleagues for not moving to suspend a trade deal with Israel despite what he called "the catastrophic situation of genocide. " More than 55,000 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave over more than 18 months of Israeli bombardment, according to Hamas-run Gazan authorities. Israel vehemently denies accusations of genocide, maintaining that it is at war with the ruling militant Islamist group Hamas following a massive terror attack on Israeli territory in 2023. In a report distributed to the member states last week based on the findings and allegations of major international bodies, the European External Action Service found "indications" that Israel was breaching its duty to respect to human rights. The document, not public but made available to DW, highlighted possible indiscriminate attacks affecting the civilian population, Israel's blockade on food and medicine plus attacks on medical facilities as potential breaches. "There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations," the report concluded. Arriving at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Sanchez said it was "more than obvious that Israel is violating Article 2 of the EU-Israel agreement." "We have had 18 sanctions packages against Russia for its aggression [in Ukraine], and Europe, with its double standards, is not capable of suspending an association agreement," Sanchez said. Suspension off the cards Spain and Ireland are isolated among the 27 EU states in openly calling for the suspension of the deal in full, a move that would require unanimity and has therefore never been a serious prospect. Greece, Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Bulgaria remain close allies of Israel. Berlin in particular has made its views clear, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz describing the move as "out of the question with the federal [German] government." Doing so would be a major commercial disruption, particularly for Israel, which buys a third of its goods from the EU. The accord, in force since 2000, covers everything from the two sides trading relationship – worth $50 billion each year for goods alone – up to political dialogue, and cooperation on research and technology. Another possibility, requiring only a qualified majority of 15 out of 27, would be the partial suspension of the deal, for example, its provisions on free trade or shutting Israel out of EU research funding programme Horizon. But multiple diplomatic sources told DW that the numbers weren't there either. Top EU diplomat: Goal not to 'punish Israel' Earlier in the week, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas officially presented the document to the member states for a first debate, already making clear there would be no immediate moves. "It is not intended to punish Israel, but to trigger concrete improvements for the people and the lives of people in Gaza," she said on Monday. "If the situation does not improve, then we can also discuss further measures and come back to this in July." On Thursday, EU leaders at the summit only "took note" of the report in their joint statement, making no reference to potential rights breaches, and said ministers should revisit the topic next month. At the same time, the 27 leaders deplored the "dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation." 'No foreign policy topic' more divisive than Israel Spain has also been calling for an EU embargo on the sale of arms to Israel, with Germany one of the country's major suppliers, as well as more sanctions. However, Berlin recently reaffirmed it would keep selling Israel weapons, and without Germany on board, the move wouldn't have much impact. A few other countries, including Belgium, France and Sweden, have supported imposing additional EU sanctions on Israel, but these too require unanimity. Echoing Sanchez, Irish leader Michael Martin said he would tell his colleagues at the summit that "the people of Europe find it incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to put pressure on Israel." According to Lisa Musiol of conflict resolution think tank Crisis Group, maximum pressure would entail an arms embargo, large-scale sanctions against members of the government or a full suspension of the association agreement. "But almost no European leader speaks about such measures," Musiol told DW in a written statement. "There is probably no foreign policy topic within the EU where member states are so divided." Iran tensions push member states back to old positions Last month, it looked for a brief moment like the EU was indeed collectively hardening its stance. The Dutch proposed the review of the association agreement, and the move was greenlit by a majority of EU states on May 20. This came shortly after France, Britain and Canada issued a rare joint statement condemning Israel's latest offensive in Gaza and described its restrictions on aid as being "wholly disproportionate," and possibly in breach of international humanitarian law. There was a distinctive feeling that policy could be shifting. Musiol of Crisis Group said that that window seemed now to have closed. "It seems that after the recent escalation between Israel and Iran, many member states have fallen into their old positions," she said. "Even those member states that have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel but had started to be more outspoken or critical, such as Germany or Italy, have changed their tone."
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Spanish PM alleges 'genocide' in Gaza as rescuers say 56 more Palestinians killed by Israeli forces
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a "genocide," as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said Israeli forces killed 56 people. After more than 20 months of devastating conflict, rights groups say Gaza's population of more than two million face famine-like conditions. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels on Thursday. AP Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following a blockade of more than two months, but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on those waiting to collect rations. Spain's Sanchez said Gaza was in a "catastrophic situation of genocide" and urged the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel. Mourners react near the bodies of Palestinians killed, in what the Gaza Health Ministry said, were overnight Israeli airstrikes on tents sheltering displaced people, at Nasser Hospital. Reuters The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by Sanchez, an outspoken critic of Israel's offensive who is one of the first European leaders, and the most senior, to use the term "genocide" to describe the situation in Gaza. Speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez mentioned an EU report which found "indications" Israel was breaching its rights obligations under the cooperation deal, which forms the basis for trade ties. Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians who, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, were killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier in the day, in Deir Al Balah. Reuters The text cited Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory, the high number of civilian casualties, attacks on journalists and the massive displacement and destruction caused by the war. The spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, said Israeli forces killed 56 people on Thursday, including six who were waiting for aid in two separate locations. 'Only two girls survived' AFP footage from a hospital in central Gaza on Wednesday showed Palestinians sobbing over bloodied body bags containing their loved ones who had been killed in an Israeli strike. "They (killed) the father, mother and brothers, only two girls survived. One of them is a baby girl aged one year and two months and the other one is five years old," one mourner said. A nurse feeds a prematurely born baby lying in an incubator at the neonatal intensive care unit of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. AP Beyond daily bombardment, Gaza's health ministry says that since late May, nearly 550 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies. The United Nations has condemned the "weaponisation of food" in Gaza, and slammed a US- and Israeli-backed body that has largely replaced established humanitarian organisations there. The privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was brought into the territory in late May, but its operations have been marred by chaotic scenes, deaths and neutrality concerns. The GHF denies deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points. Israeli restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the territory. Ceasefire push US President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that "I think great progress is being made on Gaza" to end the Israel-Hamas war. He linked his optimism about imminent "very good news" to a ceasefire agreed Tuesday between Israel and Hamas's backer Iran to end their 12-day war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing calls from opposition politicians, relatives of hostages being held in Gaza and even members of his ruling coalition to bring an end to the fighting. Key mediator Qatar said this week it would launch a new push for a ceasefire. Hamas official Taher Al Nunu on Wednesday said talks with mediators had "intensified" but said the group had "not yet received any new proposals" to end the war. Agence France-Presse
News24
a day ago
- Politics
- News24
Spain PM Sanchez accuses Israel of ‘genocide' in Gaza, demands EU suspend cooperation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a 'genocide', as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said Israeli forces killed 65 people. After more than 20 months of devastating conflict, rights groups say Gaza's population of more than two million face famine-like conditions. Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following a blockade of more than two months but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on those waiting to collect rations. Israel meanwhile is pressing its bombardment of the territory, in a military offensive it says is aimed at defeating militant group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. Sanchez said Gaza was in a 'catastrophic situation of genocide' and urged the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel. The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by the Spanish premier, an outspoken critic of Israel's offensive who is one of the first European leaders, and the most senior, to use the term 'genocide' to describe the situation in Gaza. Saeed MMT Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images Speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez mentioned an EU report which found 'indications' Israel was breaching its human rights obligations under the cooperation deal, which forms the basis for trade ties. Israel reacted furiously to Sanchez's comments. Its embassy in Madrid accused him of 'demonising' Israel, saying Spain was 'on the wrong side of history'. The Spanish government called the statement 'unacceptable' and summoned the embassy's charge d'affaires. The director of medical supplies in Gaza's civil defence agency, Mohammad Al-Mughair, told AFP 65 people had been killed by Israeli forces in the territory on Thursday. The Israeli military said its troops 'fired warning shots' in order to prevent 'suspects from approaching them' near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, where Palestinians gather each night for rations. Israel says its Gaza offensive is aimed at destroying Hamas and rescuing hostages seized during the October 2023 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1 219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's military campaign has killed at least 56 259 people, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The United Nations considers its figures reliable. 'My children have nothing to eat. I haven't had any flour for nearly two months,' said Imad al-Attar, a Gaza resident who obtained a bag of flour in the southern city of Khan Yunis. 'We just want to eat,' said another man, Khaled Rashwan. We are dying, and no one is paying attention to us. Who can we turn to? Imad al-Attar Gaza's health ministry says nearly 550 people have been killed near aid centres while seeking scarce supplies since late May. The UN has condemned the 'weaponisation of food' in Gaza, and slammed a US- and Israeli-backed foundation that has largely replaced established humanitarian organisations in the territory. The privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was brought into the territory in late May, but its operations have been marred by chaotic scenes, deaths and neutrality concerns. The GHF denies deadly incidents have occurred in the immediate vicinity of its aid points. The US State Department said on Thursday it had approved its first direct funding - $30 million - for the GHF and urged other countries to follow suit. Israeli restrictions on media in Gaza and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the territory. Abdalhkem Abu Riash/Anadolu via Getty Images The World Health Organisation said it had delivered its first medical shipment into Gaza since 2 March, adding that the nine truckloads were 'a drop in the ocean'. After claiming victory in a 12-day war against Iran that ended with a ceasefire on 24 June, Israel said it would refocus on its offensive in Gaza, where Palestinian militants still hold Israeli hostages. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday: 'I think great progress is being made on Gaza' to end the war, and forecast 'very good news'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing calls from opposition politicians, relatives of hostages held in Gaza and even members of his ruling coalition to end the fighting. Key mediator Qatar said this week it would launch a new push for a ceasefire. Israel said efforts to return Israeli hostages in Gaza were ongoing 'on the battlefield and via negotiations'.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Spain PM labels Gaza situation ‘genocide'
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez yesterday became the most prominent European leader to describe the situation in Gaza as a 'genocide', as rescuers in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory said Israeli forces killed 56 people. After more than 20 months of devastating conflict, rights groups say Gaza's population of more than two million face famine-like conditions. Israel began allowing supplies to trickle in at the end of May following a blockade of more than two months, but distribution has been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on those waiting to collect rations. Israel meanwhile is pressing its bombardment of the territory, in a military offensive it says is aimed at defeating militant group Hamas -- whose unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. Spain's Sanchez said Gaza was in a 'catastrophic situation of genocide' and urged the European Union to immediately suspend its cooperation deal with Israel. The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by Sanchez, an outspoken critic of Israel's offensive who is one of the first European leaders, and the most senior, to use the term 'genocide' to describe the situation in Gaza. Speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez mentioned an EU report which found 'indications' Israel was breaching its rights obligations under the cooperation deal, which forms the basis for trade ties. The text cited Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory, the high number of civilian casualties, attacks on journalists and the massive displacement and destruction caused by the war. The spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, said Israeli forces killed 56 people yesterday, including six who were waiting for aid in two separate locations. The Israeli military said its troops had 'fired warning shots' in order to prevent 'suspects from approaching them' near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, where Palestinians gather each night for rations.
