Spain urges weapon embargo: rescue for the Gaza Strip?

Spain urges weapon embargo: rescue for the Gaza Strip?

At the beginning of a ministerial meeting of the so-called Madrid Group, the Spanish government has called for an international weapon embargo against Israel. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares expressed this demand in Madrid and made it clear that the continued humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip should no longer be ignored. Albares emphasized that the Middle East did not need any further weapons and called for an immediate suspension of the EU partnership agreement with Israel, which is currently being examined in Brussels.

In his statements, Albares called for targeted sanctions against people who hinder the two -state solution, with sanctions against Israel's head of government Benjamin Netanyahu. Spain sees the two -state solution as the only realistic solution for permanent and fair peace in the Middle East. The criticism of the Israeli military actions in Gaza is particularly pronounced by Spain, emphasizing that both the Israeli and the Palestinian people have the right to peace and security. Albares also rejected the idea of ​​passing Palestinians or offering them Israeli citizenship.

meeting of the Madrid group

On Sunday, the Madrid Group's summit took place, in which representatives from around 20 countries, including Germany, took part. The goal of the meeting was to strengthen the support for a two -state solution and advise measures to end the war and the humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip. Albares pointed out that Israel blocked relief supplies for almost two months, which led to a dramatic lack of food, water, fuel and medication.

In this context, Albares demanded that humanitarian aid had to arrive in Gaza unhindered, ideally under control of the UN. The international community was asked to take measures and, if necessary, introduce sanctions against Israel if the country did not end the war immediately and do not improve the humanitarian situation. In addition, the EU was asked to check the cooperation agreement with Israel and to consider possible sanctions against decision -makers.

The situation in the Gaza Strip

Since the beginning of the Gaza War on October 7, 2023, more than 53,900 people have been killed, according to Palestinian information and over 122,700 were injured. Spain has positioned itself as one of the sharpest critics of the Israeli military offensive. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was invited to the summit of the Arab league, described Israel's actions as a "genocide" and stopped all arms business with the country. In addition, the Spanish government supports the request to the International Court of Justice to classify Israel's procedure as a genocide.

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the central fields of conflict in the Middle East, whereby territorial demands on the area between Jordan and the Mediterranean. While Israel controls 78 percent of the area, the Palestinians are aiming for their own independent state, based on their right to self-determination and the UN resolutions. There are no direct negotiations between the conflict parties since 2014. The challenge remains the solution to clear final status issues, including the course of the borders and the status of Jerusalem.

The Madrid Group, which consists of countries such as Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Norway as well as numerous Arab countries, has established itself as a platform for the roller coaster of diplomatic efforts for peace in the region. Another goal is an United Nations Peace Conference initiated by France and Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled to take place in New York from June 17th to 20th, with the aim of recognizing Palestine as an independent state. The erosion of the peace process urgently needs to be prevented so that the basics for a two-state solution continue to exist.