Spain has called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Israel in response to its ongoing military operations in Gaza, which Madrid has condemned as “unjust and inhuman.” The appeal was issued by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who urged immediate EU action to hold Israel accountable for what he described as “systematic violations of international humanitarian law.”
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Albares declared that the time for declarations of concern was over. “This unjust and inhuman war must stop,” he said, referring to Israel’s months-long assault on Gaza that has left tens of thousands dead and devastated much of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.
Spain’s demand for sanctions follows mounting international criticism of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where UN agencies report a near-total collapse of health services, mass displacement, and widespread food shortages. The latest reports suggest that over 36,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been killed since the conflict began.
Albares emphasized that Spain supports Israel’s right to security but condemned what he called the disproportionate and indiscriminate nature of Israel’s military campaign. “There is no justification for collective punishment,” he said. “Human rights and international law must prevail.”
Spain has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s conduct within the EU bloc. The left-wing Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has consistently pushed for stronger European action, including the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and diplomatic relations.
Albares called on fellow EU member states to agree on targeted measures, including an arms embargo and the freezing of assets for individuals and entities involved in the offensive. He also urged an urgent humanitarian airlift and maritime corridor to deliver aid to Gaza.
So far, the EU has struggled to reach a unified stance on punitive action against Israel due to internal divisions. While countries like Ireland and Belgium have expressed support for tougher measures, others—such as Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic—have defended Israel’s military operations as a response to attacks by Hamas.
The European Commission has not announced any immediate steps in response to Spain’s call but reiterated its concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation and its support for a ceasefire. A spokesperson said that the EU continues to work through diplomatic channels to de-escalate the crisis.
Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes and insisted that its actions are in self-defense following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas. Israeli officials have accused Spain and other critics of bias and of ignoring Hamas’s use of civilian areas for military purposes.
Meanwhile, protests across Spain and other European capitals have intensified, with demonstrators demanding an end to military support for Israel and greater EU intervention to stop the violence. Spanish civil society organizations have also pressured the government to suspend all arms exports and cancel defense agreements with Israel.
Spain’s position marks a significant shift in tone within the EU and is likely to fuel further debate on the bloc’s relationship with Israel. Whether the call for sanctions gains momentum remains uncertain, but Albares insisted that Spain would not remain silent.
“We are on the side of peace, justice, and human dignity,” he said. “Europe must rise to the occasion.”
Source: Euronews
