Sánchez: "We will maintain the embargo on Israel until the peace process is consolidated."

MadridPedro Sánchez will maintain the arms embargo on Israel "until the process is consolidated and moves toward peace" in the Middle East. The day after the agreement was signed in Egypt under Donald Trump's leadership, the Spanish president admitted in an interview on Cadena SER that "there are still many unknowns" about this path once a ceasefire has been reached, and therefore, the measures "will remain in place." The head of the state's executive branch stated that in Egypt on Monday "there was an air of hope, more than optimism," but he emphasized the fact that the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was present and that a "total and unequivocal commitment from the US administration in the negotiations" had been seen.

"We must find support in international law, in the United Nations; we must not forget the West Bank. And we must move toward a two-state solution," said Sánchez, who stressed the need for Europe to "influence" the new era that is opening so that solutions are "by agreement." The reason is that, beyond all the questions about what will come next, what was experienced this Monday in the Israeli Parliament during Trump's appearance was the staging of a triumphant leader, who praised the figure of Benjamin Netanyahu and endorsed what has been achieved so far "by force of arms."

On the other hand, Sánchez has made it clear that possible progress toward peace does not prevent responsibilities from being assumed in parallel. "Peace cannot mean forgetting or impunity. The main perpetrators of the genocide will have to answer to justice," he argued, when asked about the ongoing proceedings against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the International Criminal Court. This is a procedure Spain has joined, and the head of the state's executive branch has insisted on the role it has played throughout the conflict, recognizing the two-state solution and promoting sanctions against Israel, although they have not been successful with regard to the European Union. The possibility of sending peacekeeping troops to Gaza is now being considered, and Sánchez has not ruled out participating. "Spain wants to have an active presence not only in reconstruction, but also in the horizon of peace," he stressed.

The greeting with Trump

The conference in Sharm al-Sheikh was a kind of show Trump's, who greeted Sánchez with a big smile and joked about defense spending in Spain. "It was a very cordial exchange. The US and Spain have never been far apart, beyond the disagreements we may have on many policies and how to view the world and approach conflict resolution," said the Spanish president. Specifically, regarding NATO's commitments—Trump suggested Spain's expulsion from the organization—he reiterated that he has met the 2% of GDP commitment and that this contribution is sufficient to meet the NATO requirements. "Beyond the form, I'm left with the substance," he said of Trump's attitude.