Sanchez Fails to Win Support for EU-Israel Deal Suspension

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he had tried to persuade European Union leaders at a summit in the Cypriot resort of Agia Napa to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. However, the proposal failed to gain sufficient backing among member states, Euronews reported.

Sanchez called for the move, citing alleged violations of international law by Israel, but diplomatic sources said there was not enough support to push the measure through.

Ireland and Slovenia have expressed support for Madrid, pointing to the situation in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. Key countries such as Germany and Italy, however, rejected the initiative and stressed the need for a balanced approach that avoids negative consequences for the civilian population.

The Spanish prime minister also argued that what he described as a “double standard” in the EU’s approach to the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East was damaging the bloc’s credibility.

At the same time, the EU has considered partial restrictions on the trade part of the agreement, but those measures have also so far failed to secure sufficient support.

(mja)