Pedro Sánchez proposed that the EU end its association agreement with Israel. The move could trigger intense debates among member states in Brussels.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Spain will propose to the EU Council to terminate the Association Agreement with Israel over the actions of that country in the Middle East. The initiative was announced during preparations for the EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.

The Prime Minister explained that such a proposal stems from human rights violations for which, in his view, the Israeli government is accountable to the EU.

“Any government that violates international law, and thus violates the principles and values of the EU, cannot be a member of the European Union; it’s that simple”

– The Prime Minister of Spain

The head of the government also expressed a critical stance toward the war between the United States and Israel against Iran, calling these actions “a huge mistake” due to human losses, mass displacement of people, and billions of euros in economic damages.

“We will do this not because we have something against, on the contrary, we are a people friendly toward the people of Israel, but we do not agree with the actions its government is taking. And any government that violates international law, and thus violates the principles and values of the EU, cannot be a partner of the EU”

– The Prime Minister of Spain

In addition, Sánchez urged other EU countries to back the proposed move and publicly voice their position on the Israel deal.

Context and further steps

Experts and diplomatic sources note that the final decision will depend on the joint position of all EU member states and on how Israel will respond to the possible termination of the agreement and what consequences this will have for regional policy.

Currently, Spain’s stance could become a catalyst for intensifying discussions in the EU about the future format of relations with Israel and responses to crisis events in the Middle East.

In any case, these events underscore the EU’s role in shaping a common foreign policy toward the region and possible changes in its relations with Israel.