SPAIN: In Spain, Madrid has defended Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to Hamas’s actions and accused Israeli forces of committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza.
Spain refutes Israel’s claims that certain members of its acting coalition government have connections to terrorism similar to ISIS. Ione Belarra, Spain’s Minister of Social Rights, believes Netanyahu should face the International Criminal Court.
She tweeted the day after joining a protest in Madrid in support of the Palestinians: “Dignity has flooded the streets of Madrid today, calling for an end to what Israel is planning for the people of Gaza – it’s a genocide. Freedom for Palestine.”
Irene Montero and Alberto Garzón, acting ministers of equality and consumer affairs in Spain, share Belarra’s views. They state that the Israeli government’s violent actions against a civilian population break international laws and are cruel.
Israel’s embassy in Madrid condemns certain Spanish government elements for supporting Hamas and potentially endangering Spain’s Jewish communities.
They urge socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to denounce these “shameful” remarks, without specifying the ministers in question.
Spain’s alignment with ISIS-style terrorism concerns some, particularly given Israel’s grief over the loss of more than 1,300 innocent lives and the captivity of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
The embassy criticizes these comments as reprehensible and believes they pose the possibility of more antisemitic events and attacks, putting the safety of Jewish communities in Spain at risk.
Spain, currently leading the EU Council, accuses the Israeli embassy of spreading false information about several cabinet members.
The foreign ministry states that political leaders can freely express their positions as representatives of a party in a full democracy.
Spain condemns Hamas terrorist attacks, demands the release of hostages, and acknowledges Israel’s right to self-defense within international and humanitarian law.
Sánchez reiterates the EU’s condemnation of the killings and describes the Middle East as “on fire.” He emphasizes Israel’s right to self-defense while underlining the importance of international aid and the protection of civilians.
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