In his opening speech at the Council of the Socialist International in Istanbul, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation in Gaza as “unacceptable,” once again positioning himself as a staunch critic of the State of Israel.
“The situation in Gaza is unacceptable; we will not remain silent, because indifference is not an option for the international community,” Sánchez declared. He added that “we must urgently call on Israel to immediately halt the military operation to occupy the Gaza Strip. Gaza belongs to the Palestinians who were forced to leave their land, and this expulsion constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law.”
Sánchez emphasized in Istanbul that Spain, together with Palestine, would submit a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly to allow humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. “I want to make it clear that the defense of humanitarian justice is not directed against anyone,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister also stated that both the Council and the Spanish government have tirelessly called on the Palestinian Hamas to release the Israeli hostages held captive since the attack on civilians on October 7, 2023, including babies, the elderly, and women.
“Israel must understand that peace cannot be achieved through violence or human suffering, such as that experienced by the Palestinian people. The two-state solution is the only path that can guarantee a lasting and just peace, and I am proud to be part of a political family that stands for these values,” he stated.
“We cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of parents carrying their dead newborns, nor can we remain indifferent to children at risk of starvation. Enough is enough! Therefore, we will continue to raise our voices in the face of this blatant violation of human rights,” Sánchez said, emphasizing that the Israeli Social Democrats had also “raised their voices.”
