Madrid, Spain
AP
–
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday escalated criticism of Israel’s actions during the Israeli-Hamas War.
Sanchez commented while announcing many measures he said his government is taking pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deal with the humanitarian crisis caused by military attacks in the Gaza Strip.
“This is not self-defense, not even an attack. It is the extinction of unprotected people. It is a violation of all humanitarian law, and despite this, the international community has failed to stop this tragedy,” Sanchez said.
In addition to formalizing the arms embargo, which the Spanish government has said has been in effect since October 2023, Spain banned Israeli military fuel-carrying ships from passing through Spanish ports, increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza in 2026 to reach 150 million euros ($176 million), he said.
The measure must be approved by Congress.
Other measures included a pledge to increase the assistance of UN agencies for Palestinian refugees known as the UNRWA and to impose an embargo on goods created in Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory.
He also said those who directly participated in what Sanchez called Gaza’s “genocide” would not be allowed to enter Spanish territory.
“We know that all these measures are not enough to stop aggression and war crimes, but we hope to put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to alleviate some of the suffering that the Palestinian population is permanent,” Sanchez said.
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saa said Sanchez was trying to distract attention from the corruption scandal affecting his Socialist Party, and characterized the Spanish government’s actions as “anti-Semitism.”
Saa said in X that Israel banned travel to the country by Spanish Minister of Labor, Yolanda Diaz and youth ministers, Sila Lego. Both belong to Sumar, the government’s left-wing coalition partner. Saa issued a statement calling Israel a “genocide state” and said the minister would be banned from entering Israel because he supported efforts to sanction or boycott Israel.
The Spanish government was an outspoken critic of Israel’s war in Gaza after Hamas-led extremists began on October 7, 2023 after killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians and acquiring 251 hostages. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the Israeli attacks killed more than 64,000 Palestinians.
Last year, Spain joined Norway and Ireland, was the first European country to formally recognize the Palestinian state and ask the UN court to take permission to participate in the South African case in which Israel in Gaza is denounced Israel.
On Monday, Saar downplayed the impact of the Spanish government’s actions on Israel.
“If they want to keep or halt defensive ties with Israel,” Saa told reporters.
