Lorraine Williamson
Spain has taken one of the strongest moral stands in Europe over the Gaza conflict. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has described the violence there as genocide—a word that most European leaders still avoid. Speaking after the Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, the Spanish premier insisted that true peace cannot come through silence or forgetfulness.
“Peace must not mean forgetting, nor can crimes go unpunished,” Sánchez told Cadena SER. “Those responsible for the genocide in Gaza will have to answer before the International Criminal Court.” His words mark a sharp contrast with the more cautious tone adopted in other EU capitals, signalling Madrid’s willingness to confront Israel’s actions head-on.
Recognition of Palestine and a call for action
Sánchez defended Spain’s early recognition of the State of Palestine alongside Norway and Ireland—a decision that, he said, helped push the international community toward consensus. For him, the recognition is more than a gesture; it is a foundation for rebuilding trust and reviving the two-state solution that has long languished in diplomatic paralysis.
The presence of the Palestinian National Authority at the Egyptian summit gave new legitimacy to that idea. Sánchez argued that peace must mean reconstruction, political dignity, and an end to impunity. Spain, he confirmed, remains ready to play an active role in Gaza’s recovery once a formal agreement for international cooperation is in place.
“Spain wants to be present—to help rebuild and to consolidate peace,” he said. The country already maintains an arms embargo against Israel and has repeatedly stressed that the current truce cannot be mistaken for lasting peace.
Europe’s uneasy silence
While Sánchez has drawn both praise and criticism for his blunt language, his stance has highlighted the growing divide within Europe. Many EU governments prefer a cautious diplomatic line, fearing political backlash or trade consequences. Spain, however, has aligned itself with a rising group of nations demanding accountability through international law rather than quiet mediation.
By naming Gaza’s suffering as genocide, Sánchez positions Spain as a moral voice rather than a neutral observer—a role that recalls Madrid’s historical support for international justice, from Latin America’s human-rights cases to its advocacy for the International Criminal Court.
Beyond the battlefield: Spain’s wider agenda
Sánchez’s comments also reflect a broader foreign-policy shift: one that pairs progressive values abroad with domestic stability at home. He reminded listeners that Spain meets NATO’s 2% defence spending target without cutting social programmes. “We fully meet NATO’s requirements, and we do so without sacrificing our social values,” he said after briefly meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the summit.
His message was clear—Spain can be both a reliable ally and a nation guided by humanitarian conviction. That balance, he believes, will define Spain’s credibility in Europe and beyond.
Calm confidence amid global tension
Despite mounting international crises and fierce political opposition at home, Sánchez appeared calm and resolute. He confirmed that his government intends to serve its full term through 2027, with or without a new budget. Spain’s economy, he noted, remains one of Europe’s strongest performers, and IMF projections continue to outpace official forecasts.
From migration to memory, the prime minister’s message was consistent: justice and solidarity must underpin both domestic and international policy. As he put it, Spain will continue to work “for justice, peace and progress.”
Lasting peace through accountability
Sánchez’s insistence that peace must not become a synonym for impunity marks a pivotal moment in Spain’s foreign policy. By calling Gaza’s devastation a genocide and backing Palestine’s statehood, he has drawn a moral line that few other Western leaders have dared to cross. Whether Spain’s call for justice gains traction or further divides Europe, its message is unmistakable: peace without accountability is no peace at all.