Spanish premier calls on Europe to speak clearly on Gaza attacks to stop human suffering

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that “the time has come for Europeans to speak clearly and with one voice” on Israel’s brutal attacks on the Gaza Strip.

“Not because the world is watching or because history will judge us … but because human beings are suffering; little children are suffering and losing their lives,” Sanchez said in Spain’s parliament, vowing that Madrid will not “sit back and do nothing.”

To a loud round of applause, Sanchez also said that Spanish politicians will have to take on the task of recognizing the state of Palestine during this term, which began around a month ago.

“Europe should actively contribute to seeking a definitive solution to the conflict and offering a serious perspective of peace. That implies recognizing a Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside the Israeli state,” he said, also referring to his position that the EU as a whole should recognize the state of Palestine.

During his speech, Sanchez added that “the bombings must stop immediately” and that humanitarian aid must be able to reach “people suffering from the cold, hunger and pain.”

While condemning the Hamas attacks and calling for the release of hostages, he also called on Europe to demand Israel comply with international law.

However, some politicians during the parliamentary session said Sanchez’s words and actions did not go far enough.

Ione Belarra, head of the Podemos Party, called on Sanchez to use the word “genocide” when referring to Israeli attacks on Gaza. Speaking of the “thousands of people being brutally exterminated by the state of Israel,” Belarra also called Israel “a threat to democracy around the world.”

She also called for the government to cut diplomatic ties and arms trade with Israel.

Sanchez’s criticisms of Israel have already provoked Tel Aviv to recall its ambassador to Spain, but so far Spain has decided not to escalate the conflict and has left its ambassador in Israel.

In the parliamentary session, still ongoing, Sanchez did not respond directly to Belarra’s calls. Instead, the Socialist spokesperson Patxi Lopez defended Spain’s position on Israel.