Spain Proposes EU Terminate Israel Association Agreement

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Sunday that his government will propose to the European Union on Tuesday that the bloc terminate its Association Agreement with Israel, arguing that "any government that violates international law cannot be a partner of Europe." Speaking at an event in Gibraleón, Huelva, alongside María Jesús Montero, vice secretary-general of the PSOE and candidate for president of the Andalusian Regional Government, Sánchez stated that the measure is not about having "anything against" Israel, which he described as "a friendly people," but rather about disagreement with the actions of Israel's government. Sánchez will seek support from other EU countries and described the proposal as a measure that "is not left or right," calling for an end to the conflicts in the Middle East and specifically urging those who started the war to "stop it" and "stop Netanyahu." He described the ongoing conflict as "an immense error" that has cost thousands of human lives, millions of displaced persons across the region, and billions of euros in economic losses affecting ordinary citizens. The announcement comes after a European Citizens' Initiative reached one million signatures from citizens of at least seven member states on April 14, requesting that the EU fully suspend its Association Agreement with Israel. The European Commission must now verify the signatures and, if the established thresholds are confirmed, will be required to respond within six months indicating what measures it will take, if any.