Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to propose suspending EU-Israel association agreement
via SeneNews1 min read
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced his government will propose to the European Union on Tuesday the suspension of the association agreement with Israel, according to AFP. Speaking at a political rally in Andalusia, Sánchez justified the initiative by stating that a government "that violates international law" cannot be considered a partner of the European Union. This stance reflects a gradual hardening of Spanish diplomacy on the issue, particularly in connection with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The EU-Israel association agreement, in force since 2000, frames trade relations between the two parties and includes a clause conditioning cooperation on respect for human rights. Spain is not alone in this approach; Madrid, alongside Ireland and Slovenia, has recently called for a re-evaluation of this agreement by European institutions. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly criticized the Spanish position, denouncing the "hypocrisy" of Pedro Sánchez's government and rejecting the accusations against Israel. This verbal escalation illustrates growing diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Tel Aviv, in an international context marked by regional conflicts and debates within the European Union regarding the nature of its partnerships.
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