Spain’s Prime Minister Criticizes Europe’s Handling of Gaza Conflict
Europe and the Western world’s inconsistent approach to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza risks damaging their international credibility, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated, calling the reaction to Israel’s military actions in Gaza one of the bleakest moments in global diplomacy this century.
In a discussion with *CuriosityNews* ahead of a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Wednesday, the socialist leader also argued that the U.S., during Donald Trump’s presidency, sought to dismantle the rules-based international order established after the Second World War.
Additionally, he emphasized the positive impact of migration and criticized conservative political parties for abandoning shared climate crisis policies by adopting more populist stances.
Sánchez—the first high-ranking European official to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza—expressed satisfaction that other European countries are now following Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood. However, he acknowledged that Europe’s response has been inadequate.
"It is a failure. Absolutely. Within the EU, member states remain divided on how to approach Israel. But in my view, this is unacceptable, and we cannot sustain such divisions if we want to maintain credibility on other crises, like the one we see in Ukraine," he said.
"The causes of these conflicts differ, but ultimately, the world observes the EU and Western nations and asks: ‘Why the double standards on Ukraine and Gaza?’"
Speaking as he seeks to reinforce his international influence amid domestic political turmoil—including corruption allegations that have weakened his government and prompted calls for an early election—Sánchez stated that he is urging Europe to take stronger action, including economic measures against Israel.
"What we are seeing in Gaza may be one of the darkest chapters in 21st-century international relations. Spain has been vocal within the EU and globally. At the EU level, we have pushed to suspend the bloc’s strategic partnership with Israel," he said.
Gaza ‘Facing a Collapse of Humanitarian Law,’ UN Official Warns
The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has cautioned that Gaza is "becoming the graveyard of international humanitarian law."
In an interview with *El País*, Philippe Lazzarini said UNRWA had been "raising alarms about famine-like conditions for months," but its warnings had been ignored. He noted that UNRWA health centers had observed a sharp rise in severely malnourished children in Gaza City.
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