2023-11-26 03:14:56
Madrid: Spain has strengthened its position on the Palestinian issue following the Barcelona municipal government severed ties with Israel. Spain has demanded that the European Union (EU) declare Palestine as an independent state. If not, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has stated that he will proceed with his own measures.
Sanchez said at a press conference at the Rafah border in Egypt that it is time for the international community, especially the European Union and its member states, to recognize the Palestinian state. This approval should come as soon as possible, without any hesitation, with the support of all member states. If it doesn’t happen, Spain will take the decision on its own, he said. Pedro Sánchez called for a permanent cease-fire, not because of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.
Sanchez has also announced that more humanitarian aid will be delivered to the Palestinians suffering from the war in Gaza. Aid is being delivered through Egypt. After the discussion with the Spanish Prime Minister, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that they will deliver most of the aid that Palestine needs. He also asked the international community to come forward with more offers of help. Sisi has also stated that the Rafah border will not be closed.
In the wake of the Gaza attacks, the city council of Spain’s main city, Barcelona, passed a resolution on severing ties with Israel. The declaration states that there will be no cooperation with Israel until Israel respects the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and declares a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
This is not the first time Barcelona has severed ties with Israel. Last February, the then mayor of Barca, Ada Colau, announced that he had severed ties with Israel and withdrawn from the twin city agreement with Tel Aviv. However, following the new administration led by Socialist leader Jame Colboni came to power months ago, relations with Israel returned to normal. The resolution was brought by N Commune, Kolau’s far-left party, in the wake of the Gaza offensive. It was supported by Colboni’s Socialist Party and the left-wing ERC.
Summary: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that Madrid would unilaterally recognize an independent Palestinian state, even if such a decision contradicts the opinion of the European Union. Earlier Barcelona was suspended ties with Israel
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