Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the European Union Sunday to suspend its association agreement with Israel, with a formal proposal expected Tuesday.
Spain Calls for EU Action Against Israel
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged the European Union to terminate the association agreement with Israel, announcing that Spain will formally submit a proposal during Tuesday’s meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. The agreement has been in effect since 2000.
Justification Based on International Law
Sanchez stated that any entity violating international law, and therefore European principles and values, cannot be a partner of the EU. He made these remarks during a pre-election campaign in Andalusia, where regional elections are scheduled for mid-May.
Friendly to Israelis, Critical of Government Actions
Sanchez clarified that the call for suspension is not directed against the Israeli people, emphasizing Spain’s friendly relationship with them. However, he expressed disagreement with the actions of the current Israeli government.
Joint Accusations of Human Rights Violations
In a letter sent Saturday to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the foreign ministers of Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland accused Israel of violating human rights and international law. The accusations include the approval by the Israeli parliament of a law introducing the death penalty for Palestinians.
Escalating Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
Spain has been the most vocal critic of Israel’s policies in Europe, and relations have been strained since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The Spanish government has described the actions of the Israeli army as “genocide,” leading to the suspension of agreements with Israeli companies for military equipment supplies.
Israeli Response and Diplomatic Retaliation
In early April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Spain of waging a “diplomatic war” against his country, stating he would not tolerate “hypocrisy or hostility” and would demand a “price” for any diplomatic aggression.
Further Diplomatic Actions by Spain
Spain also faced criticism for reopening its embassy in Tehran in mid-April following a two-week truce between the US and Iran. Previously, in mid-March, the Spanish government decided to permanently recall its ambassador to Tel Aviv, Ana Salomon, who had already been summoned home for consultations in September 2025. In late 2023, Israel recalled its ambassador from Madrid in response to Sanchez’s government’s critical stance on actions in the Gaza Strip.