Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said that his country adheres to the same standards regarding protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid, stressing the need to do everything possible so that there are no double standards between Ukraine and the Gaza Strip.
During an interview with Tel Aviv Tribune, Albarez stressed the need to protect civilians from any violence and provide them with aid, whether in Ukraine or Gaza, condemning at the same time any violations in this regard, and also rejected the destruction of civilian facilities.
He stressed the importance of doing everything possible to hold a peace conference that would result in the establishment of the State of Palestine consisting of the West Bank and Gaza Strip after stopping the current war.
He pointed out that Madrid’s recognition of the Palestinian state came out of justice for the Palestinian people and not to remain refugees, as well as for the sake of peace between the Palestinians, Israelis and the Middle East region, in addition to humanitarian motives.
He added, “We support the two-state solution, and we recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.”
In late May, Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially announced their recognition of an independent Palestinian state, then Slovenia followed them all the way to Armenia, bringing the number of recognized countries to 148 out of 193 countries in the United Nations General Assembly.
The Spanish minister called for the necessity of stopping settlement activity in the West Bank, where there are illegal settlements, noting that Madrid had imposed sanctions on the settlers and decided not to sell more weapons to Israel since last October.
He stressed that violence and the way Israel deals with the Palestinians cannot be accepted, pointing out the need not to allow the cycle of violence to expand in the Middle East. He added, “If we do not change the situation in the Middle East, violence will increase.”
Regarding the Israeli military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, the Spanish minister said that stopping combat operations in Rafah is necessary, and we will do everything in our power to uphold international law, stressing that not distinguishing between civilians and militants “is something that should not be allowed.”
He explained, “We will not fear the threat of anyone who prevents us from defending the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law,” revealing that Madrid has granted an additional 35 million euros to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to carry out its work.
He said that Israel must abide by the orders of the International Court of Justice regarding the war on the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the escalation on the northern front between Hezbollah and Israel, the Spanish Foreign Minister stated that Madrid is working with its partners to reduce the escalation in southern Lebanon, stressing that this is another reason to stop the war in Gaza.
He continued, “We have repeatedly warned of escalation on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and we are concerned about this situation,” referring to what he said were Hezbollah’s threats to Cyprus, a member of the European Union.
