MADRID, July 11, 2025 (WAFA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday called for the immediate suspension of the European Union's Association Agreement with Israel against the backdrop of the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking before the Spanish Parliament, Sánchez delivered strong criticism of the Israeli government, stating that its actions in Gaza "will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters of the 21st century."
Sánchez recalled that both Spain and Ireland had formally requested in February 2024 that the EU assess Israel's compliance with the terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The treaty, signed in Brussels in November 1995 and effective since June 2000, is founded on mutual respect for human rights, as enshrined in Article 2.
He referenced a report by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, issued on June 23, which concluded that there is "more than sufficient evidence" that Israel has violated this article.
"To date, the European Union has taken no concrete steps against Israel," Sánchez said. "No one who tramples on the founding principles of the European Union and uses starvation as a weapon to eliminate a legitimate state—Palestine—can be considered a partner of the EU."
He added, "We cannot be complicit in the greatest genocide of this century through indifference, hesitation, or political calculations."
The Association Agreement is the framework governing relations between the EU and Israel, encompassing political dialogue, trade, and cooperation.
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