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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was pressed to make a decision to recognize the Palestinian state during the last Council of Ministers, argued Yolanda Díaz, Spanish Deputy Prime Minister and president of the left-wing Sumar movement, a member of the government coalition.
This step is considered essential for the maintenance of the coalition agreement between Sumar and the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) of Pedro Sánchez.
Media attention and political analysts have focused on corruption charges that have targeted the Prime Minister’s wife, and Ms. Díaz has embarked on a move that could strengthen the coalition.
“I ask the head of government to recognize the State of Palestine. Let’s not let any more time pass,” she said at a rally ahead of regional elections in Catalonia scheduled for this Sunday, stressing that “the time has come to recognize the Palestinian state. »
Ernest Urtasun, Sumar’s spokesperson and Minister of Culture, also urged the Spanish government to recognize the Palestinian state as the UN voted on Friday for a resolution that provides for the State of Palestine to join the ‘UN. “The Palestinians cannot wait any longer,” Mr. Urtasun said.
To reinforce Spain’s commitment to imminent recognition of the Palestinian state, Mr. Sánchez held a meeting last Monday with his Irish counterpart Simon Harris.
The Spanish Prime Minister shared a summary of their meeting on social media, indicating that the two politicians discussed “the desire of both governments to recognize the Palestinian state and to coordinate their efforts to realize this recognition.”
According to Sanchez, the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a future of peace, security and stability in the region.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta signed a declaration on March 22 in Brussels committing to recognizing Palestine as a state, without setting a precise date.
As a reminder, the Prime Minister affirmed last April that “the international community cannot remain impassive or idly faced with the extreme seriousness of the crisis”.
He also expressed Spain’s support for all initiatives aimed at easing the situation in Gaza and considered that access by land is essential to provide humanitarian aid on a sufficient scale.
“Spain will do everything in its power to help alleviate the terrible consequences of this conflict,” he assured. Nine EU member states, including Sweden, already recognize the Palestinian state. According to the Sumar leader, there is no reason for Spain’s recognition of the Palestinian state to be further delayed. Ms. Díaz also denounced the Israeli bombings on Gaza, which she describes as “genocide”.
Sánchez, who appears to be a staunch defender of Palestinian rights, sees this proclamation of the State of Palestine as a way to achieve a solution ending the 76-year-old conflict and Israeli aggression, the deadliest ongoing in devastating Gaza which began in October 2023.
Spanish government sources say a possible recognition will be taken on May 21. Everything indicates that it is on this date, Council of Ministers day, that the Spanish government will honor the commitment made by Pedro Sánchez to recognize the State of Palestine.
The information, announced Wednesday evening by Irish public television – another country which should take the plunge at the same time as the Iberian State – was confirmed the next day on Spanish National Radio by the head of European diplomacy. “I know this because (Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel) Albares told me,” Josep Borrell said, adding that Slovenia could also quickly move in the same direction.
In Brussels, the front made up of Spain, Ireland, Poland and Slovenia benefited from the support of Malta and Luxembourg. The objective was to form a “critical mass” capable of encouraging other countries to take the plunge.
In total, 139 of the 193 member states of the United Nations consider Palestine a state. These include European nations such as Iceland, Poland and Romania, as well as countries such as Algeria, Russia, China and Nigeria.
Furthermore, Spanish civil society continues to show its support for the Palestinian cause, by organizing several demonstrations across the country.
This week several students organized marches and rallies protesting Israeli aggression on civilian populations in Gaza. Some courses were interrupted this week in Barcelona, Girona, Valencia, Seville, Valladolid, the Basque Country and Madrid.