Spain to ask for Immediate Suspension of EU-Israel Pact

Spain's Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, announced today that he will formally request the European Council to immediately suspend the pact governing relations between the European Union and Israel. Albares cited ongoing human rights violations in Gaza as the primary reason for this unprecedented move.

In a strong denunciation of the current situation, Minister Albares stated that he would also press the EU Council to approve an embargo on weapons sold to Israel and impose sanctions on individuals deemed to be undermining the two-state solution.

Spain has been an increasingly vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, with its government previously recognizing Palestine as a state and advocating for a global arms embargo. The call to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which facilitates extensive cooperation and trade, marks a significant escalation in Spain's diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel.

The EU-Israel Association Agreement includes a human rights clause (Article 2) which states that relations between the parties are based on "respect for human rights and democratic principles" as an "essential element." A review of Israel's compliance with this article is currently underway within the EU, initiated by a proposal supported by 17 out of 27 EU foreign ministers in May.

While a complete suspension of the Association Agreement would require unanimous support from all 27 EU member states, a suspension of its trade pillar could be achieved with a qualified majority. Human Rights Watch and over 110 organizations and trade unions have also urged the EU to suspend the trade agreement, citing evidence of "atrocity crimes and other egregious human rights abuses against Palestinians."

Spain's move comes amidst growing international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza, which many humanitarian organizations describe as facing a dire humanitarian crisis and looming famine.