Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stressed yesterday, Wednesday, the need for his country to assume the task of recognizing the State of Palestine during its presidency of the European Union until the end of this year, while French President Emmanuel Macron renewed the demand for a humanitarian truce that would later lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
In a parliamentary session, Sanchez said that Europe must demand respect for international law and search for a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by providing a serious peace horizon that provides a guarantee for a two-state solution.
He added that it is time for Europeans to speak clearly and with one voice about the brutal Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. He continued that this is not because the world is watching European governments, or because history will judge them later, but because there are human beings who are suffering, as he put it.
The leader of the left-wing Podemos party, former Minister of Social Rights Ione Pillara, also called on Sanchez to use the description “genocide” when referring to the Israeli attacks on Gaza, stressing that Israel is a threat to democracy in the world.
Earlier, Sanchez’s criticism of Israel prompted Tel Aviv to recall its ambassador to Spain.
“All lives are equal”
For his part, Macron, during his talk yesterday with France 5, rejected the consolidation of the fight against terrorism, as if it were synonymous with destroying everything in Gaza, or randomly attacking the civilian population, and causing civilian casualties.
He added that while his country recognizes Israel’s right to protect itself, Paris is demanding a truce that leads to a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, which could become a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Macron asked Israel to stop its response because it was “inappropriate,” saying that all lives are of equal value and must be defended, and expressed his regret at the loss of civilian lives in Gaza.