MADRID: Spain will ask the European Union to end its association agreement with the Zionist entity over alleged violations of international law, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Sunday.
Spain has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the Gaza conflict and the Zionist entity’s attacks on neighboring Lebanon. Netanyahu has accused Spain of “hypocrisy and hostility”.
“On Tuesday, Spain’s government will present a proposal to the EU that the European Union break off its association agreement with (the Zionist entity)”, Sanchez told a political rally in Andalusia.
He alleged that the Zionist entity “violates international law” and therefore “cannot be a partner of the European Union… it’s as simple as that”.
The Zionist entity’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded with a social media post in Spanish saying his country would “not accept hypocritical lectures from someone who keeps ties with totalitarian regimes”, citing Turkey and Venezuela under former leader Nicolas Maduro.
The June 2000 association agreement – a treaty that sets a framework for cooperation – includes a clause requiring respect for human rights. Spain and Ireland first called for a review in 2024 over the Zionist entity’s bombardment of Gaza. Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state the same year infuriated the Zionist entity, and Sanchez has stepped up his criticism of Netanyahu’s government since. — Agencies
Spain, Ireland and Slovenia sent a letter to the European Commission on Friday calling for the accord with the Zionist entity to be discussed at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Netanyahu this month accused Spain of waging a hostile diplomatic campaign against his country and barred Madrid from taking part in the work of a the Civil Military Coordination Center, a body led by the US which was established in the Zionist entity in October 2025. The center was established to monitor the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war on Gaza. — Agencies