Spain’s President, Pedro Sánchez, Announces Measures Against Israel
Spain’s President, Pedro Sánchez, announced on Monday that his government will intensify pressure on Israel by prohibiting ships and aircraft carrying weapons destined for Israel from docking at Spanish ports or entering Spanish airspace.
Increased Support for Palestinian Authority and UNRWA
Sánchez also stated that the Spanish government will increase aid to the Palestinian Authority and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and impose a ban on products manufactured in Israeli settlements within the occupied Palestinian territories.
“We hope these measures will add pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to alleviate some of the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people,” Sánchez said in a public speech broadcast on local television.
Banning Entry to Individuals Involved in “Genocide”
Spain will also prohibit entry to anyone who has directly participated in what Sánchez described as “genocide.”
Israeli Response and Criticism
Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Saar, responded with a statement accusing Sánchez of attempting to divert public attention from internal corruption scandals and labeling the measures as “antisemitic.”
Israel retaliated by banning entry to Spanish Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, and Minister of Youth, Sira Rego, both from the left-wing party Sumar, a junior coalition partner.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Pedro Sánchez? Pedro Sánchez is the President of the Government of Spain, leading the country since June 2018.
- Why is this announcement significant? This announcement signifies Spain’s intention to exert political and economic pressure on Israel regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- What measures will Spain implement? Spain will ban ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from docking at Spanish ports or flying over its airspace. Additionally, Spain will increase aid to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA and impose a ban on products from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
- What is the Israeli response? Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gideon Saar, criticized the measures as an attempt to divert attention from internal corruption scandals and labeled them as “antisemitic.” Israel retaliated by banning entry to Spanish ministers Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego.
