Spain will ask the European Union to end its association agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said. Spain has criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over the Gaza conflict and Israel's attacks on neighbouring Lebanon. "On Tuesday, Spain's government will present a proposal to the EU that the European Union break off its association agreement with Israel", Sanchez told a political rally in Andalusia. He alleged that Israel "violates international law" and therefore "cannot be a partner of the European Union ... it's as simple as that".
The June 2000 association accord between the EU and Israel includes a clause requiring respect for human rights. Spain and Ireland first called for a review of the accord in 2024 amid concerns over tactics used in the war on Gaza in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023.
Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state the same year infuriated Israel, and Sanchez has stepped up his criticism of Netanyahu's government since. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia sent a letter to the European Commission on Friday calling for the the accord with Israel to be discussed at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers. — AFP
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