The Spanish foreign minister stated on Monday that Spain and the European Union (EU) will never recognize any unilateral annexation of the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, condemning the Israeli military escalation in those areas.
“I immediately spoke out clearly and strongly condemned: Neither we, nor the EU will ever recognize this,” said Jose Manuel Albares.
“We will never recognize this illegal, unilateral annexation of Gaza or the West Bank, where illegal settlements are advancing.”
Albares emphasized that what is most needed in the Middle East now is the security of the Palestinian and Israeli people.
“This escalation of the Israeli military occupation of Gaza will bring only more death, suffering, further complicate the release of hostages, and destabilize the Middle East,” he warned.
He called for “a permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade that Israel imposes on Gaza, this induced famine, a massive influx of humanitarian aid, the urgent release of all hostages, and lasting peace, which is the same as establishing a two-state solution.”
Israel is already facing growing condemnation for the genocidal war in Gaza, where, since October 2023, more than 61.000 Palestinians have been killed. The military campaign has destroyed the enclave and caused death from starvation.
Asked about the upcoming meeting between the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Friday, Albares said that Madrid supports any sincere step towards peace, even the first step, which would be a ceasefire. However, he warned against any agreement that would reward Russia.
He said that Spain’s position has remained unchanged since the beginning of this unjustified war, stressing the need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity and ensuring that nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine at the table.
“If there is a reward for the aggressor in this war, if a war of aggression brings benefit to Russia, the world will be more unstable tomorrow,” he said, emphasizing that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government have the legitimate right to speak about the future of their country.
