Spanish premier says Israel in a ‘weaker position due to its response in Gaza’

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said that “Israel is in a much weaker position now due to its inhumane response” in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking in an interview with broadcaster La Sexta, where he was asked if he considered what Israel is doing as genocide, he replied: “I have my own vision on what’s happening. Are they respecting human rights in Gaza? I have my serious doubts.

“I think any objective analyst would [think the same]. Look at the indiscriminate killing of civilians — women and children — and the unmatched destruction of Gaza, which will take decades to rebuild,” he said.

Speaking to those who defend Israel’s actions, he also put forward the question of whether the violence and destruction after Oct. 7, 2023 have been worth it. Israel has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians since the initial Hamas attack that claimed a maximum of upto 1,200 lives.

“Is Hamas more or less stronger than before? Is Israel more or less safe now than before the Oct. 7 attacks?” he asked.

He added that on May 22, when he is set to appear in the Spanish parliament, he plans on being able to announce the exact date when Spain and the other EU countries will recognize Palestine.

So far, EU nations such as Ireland, Slovenia, Norway, and Malta have committed to recognizing Palestine, though which countries could join in on that date remains unclear.

Sanchez pointed out that while many Western nations believe in a two-state solution, they have recognized Israel but not Palestine.

“After everything that’s happened since October 7, it’s obvious that the Israeli premier doesn’t seem to agree with recognizing Palestine. So countries need to pick up the flag and recognize Palestine to keep the idea alive and open up a political horizon for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine,” he added.