In Gaza, the Israeli forces’ indiscriminate attack has garnered support from the United States, the United Kingdom, and most Western countries for Israel. However, there is some deviation in this regard from Spain. The country’s government, while condemning Hamas’ attacks in Israel, has also termed Israel’s attacks as “acceptable.”
In the Israeli military’s assault on Gaza, over 16,000 people, a majority of whom are women and children, have lost their lives. Online media is filled with images and videos of the lifeless bodies of thousands of Palestinian children who have lost their lives in Israel’s indiscriminate bombing and missile attacks.
Last week, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed concern about the situation, stating, “The way children’s lives are being taken in Gaza and the footage we are seeing raise serious doubts about whether Israel is complying with international human rights law.” Sanchez further stated, “What we are witnessing in Gaza cannot be accepted in any way.”
Israel has strongly reacted to Sanchez’s comments. The appointed Spanish ambassador to Jerusalem was recalled and reprimanded for Sanchez’s statement. Israel did not mince words in expressing its displeasure. Spain’s capital, Madrid, saw protests against Israel’s attacks, with citizens rallying city by city in solidarity with the resistance against the assault in Gaza.
Almost all European countries are supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza. However, Pedro Sanchez, as the most prominent and influential leader in Europe, has explicitly condemned Israel’s attacks. Apart from him, only politicians in Ireland and Belgium are condemning the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Since the beginning of the Israeli military’s assault on Gaza on October 7, protests have been erupting across Spain. Citizens are taking to the streets in city after city in protest against the attacks in Gaza.
The leader of the minority left-wing government in Spain is Pedro Sanchez. This coalition government includes parties like Podemos and Izquierda Unida, known for their left-wing stance. These left-wing parties and their leaders openly express support for the rights of Palestinians and their struggle for independence.
Professor Jose de Miguel, of the Constitutional Law Department at the University of Cantabria, describes Spain as a “pro-Palestinian country from a socialist perspective.” He stated, “Sanchez has prepared to recognize Palestine as an independent state. Even if the European Union does not take this position, Spain has.”
In explaining Spain’s position, Professor Miguel further stated, “In Spain, there are many parties in the coalition government that are not pro-Israel but sympathetic to the Palestinians.”
