Spanish Prime Minister Seeks EU Support for Palestinian State Recognition
In a series of high-level meetings, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to engage with fellow European Union leaders to build consensus on the recognition of a Palestinian state. The Spanish government’s spokesperson, Pilar Alegria, briefed the media on Tuesday about Sanchez’s upcoming diplomatic efforts.
Sanchez’s itinerary is packed with discussions with the prime ministers of Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Belgium. The central theme of these talks will revolve around the EU’s stance on the recent Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. “We want to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and help kickstart a political peace process leading to the realisation of the two-state solution as early as possible,” Alegria stated, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The Spanish leader has been vocal about his expectations for Madrid to officially recognize Palestinian statehood by July. He also anticipates that a “critical mass” within the EU will soon emerge, encouraging several member states to align with this position. Last month, Spain joined forces with Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia in a collective move towards acknowledging a Palestinian state.
However, this initiative has been met with criticism from Israel, which has condemned the action as a “prize for terrorism” and a detriment to the prospects of a negotiated settlement. The backdrop of these diplomatic maneuvers is a tense atmosphere following a severe military engagement in Gaza initiated by Israeli forces in response to Hamas-led violence.
While the EU’s influence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has traditionally been overshadowed by the United States, Sanchez’s campaign represents a concerted effort to change this dynamic. To date, 139 out of 193 United Nations member states have recognized Palestinian statehood.
The diplomatic push will commence with Sanchez’s visits to Oslo and Dublin on April 12, where he is scheduled to meet Norway’s Jonas Gahr Stoere and Ireland’s new premier Simon Harris. These meetings could set the tone for EU’s future involvement in one of the most enduring conflicts of our times.
