Spain Calls on Europe to Take Urgent Steps to Resolve the Gaza Crisis and the Two-State Solution

In light of the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced a comprehensive plan to stop the suffering in the besieged territory.

In a message addressed to the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Albares emphasized that Europe is doing very little to address the situation in Gaza, calling for urgent action from the European Union.

The minister clarified via the "X" platform yesterday, Saturday, that the Spanish plan includes several decisive steps, starting with a ban on European arms sales to Israel.

The plan also includes expanding the scope of European sanctions to include anyone or entity obstructing the implementation of the two-state solution, which is considered the only solution capable of achieving peace and stability in the Middle East.

Albares also stressed the need for significant financial support for the Palestinian Authority, which is facing a suffocating crisis due to Israel's withholding of taxes that should be returned to it.

Additionally, the plan called for compliance with the International Court of Justice's rulings regarding trade with illegal settlements, including a ban on all goods coming from these settlements.

In another step, Spain proposed suspending the existing agreement between the European Union and Israel, with the Spanish minister confirming that it is unacceptable for the European Union to continue dealing with Israel in light of this humanitarian disaster.

He noted that many international reports indicate human rights violations by Israel in Gaza, considering that the time has come to move from words to actions.

Albares pointed out that the proposed action plan is not an exceptional measure but a sincere call to implement European legislation and international law.

He also expressed his strong support for the United Nations conference aimed at implementing the two-state solution, noting that Spain was one of the first countries to begin the process of recognizing the State of Palestine, expecting that about 10 other European countries will announce their recognition of Palestine in the near future.

In this context, the Spanish minister confirmed his country's complete rejection of withholding Palestinian rights at the United Nations, pointing out the necessity for the Palestinian delegation and the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to enjoy United Nations protection and immunity in international meetings, a principle that enjoys broad international consensus.

He called on the European Union to be at the forefront of defenders of this principle.

This plan comes at a sensitive time, with escalating international calls to save Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.

International humanitarian organizations warn of an imminent disaster in the territory due to the ongoing siege, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including children and infants, amid a severe shortage of food and medicine.