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Spain Calls on EU to Take Decisive Step Toward Israel
(MENAFN) Spain on Tuesday pushed the European Union to take a firmer stance toward Israel, calling for steps toward suspending their association agreement over concerns tied to international law and human rights.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid, alongside Slovenia and Ireland, had formally requested the issue be debated within the bloc.
"Today, Europe's credibility is at stake. If we are not able to send a clear and strong signal to Israel that it must change its policy, we will lose that credibility," Albares said.
At the center of the proposal is the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which regulates political and trade ties and includes a clause mandating respect for human rights. Spain and its partners argue that recent developments in the Middle East justify revisiting the agreement under that provision.
Albares emphasized that the EU must apply consistent standards across global crises, noting the bloc’s firm positions on conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Sudan. Failing to do so in Israel’s case, he warned, would weaken the EU’s international credibility.
Under EU procedures, a full suspension of the agreement would require unanimous approval from all member states. However, more limited actions—such as halting specific trade provisions—could be enacted with a qualified majority vote.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid, alongside Slovenia and Ireland, had formally requested the issue be debated within the bloc.
"Today, Europe's credibility is at stake. If we are not able to send a clear and strong signal to Israel that it must change its policy, we will lose that credibility," Albares said.
At the center of the proposal is the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which regulates political and trade ties and includes a clause mandating respect for human rights. Spain and its partners argue that recent developments in the Middle East justify revisiting the agreement under that provision.
Albares emphasized that the EU must apply consistent standards across global crises, noting the bloc’s firm positions on conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Sudan. Failing to do so in Israel’s case, he warned, would weaken the EU’s international credibility.
Under EU procedures, a full suspension of the agreement would require unanimous approval from all member states. However, more limited actions—such as halting specific trade provisions—could be enacted with a qualified majority vote.
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