Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged the international community to halt arms sales to Israel, condemning recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. His remarks came during a press conference following a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, where he expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the region.
Sanchez’s call for an arms embargo is rooted in his condemnation of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) firing upon United Nations Interim Force in Earlier reports indicated that two peacekeepers were injured due to Israeli fire, prompting Sanchez to declare, “Let me at this point criticize and condemn the attacks that the Israeli armed forces are carrying out on the United Nations mission in Lebanon.”
The IDF has been conducting military operations in southern Lebanon, which Sanchez described as an “invasion” of a sovereign state. He stated, “It is clear that there has been an invasion by a third country of a sovereign state such as Lebanon, and therefore the international community cannot remain indifferent.”
Sanchez highlighted that Spain ceased arms exports to Israel in October 2023, a decision influenced by the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. He urged other nations to follow suit, arguing that stopping arms sales would help prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
“I think it is urgent given what is happening in the Middle East that the international community stops exporting weapons to the Israeli government,” he emphasized.
The situation in Lebanon and Gaza has deteriorated significantly since October 2023, with reports indicating thousands of casualties.
According to Lebanese officials, nearly 2,000 people have been killed since the onset of Israeli strikes, with over 1,000 deaths occurring since late September. The humanitarian crisis has led to widespread displacement as families flee from conflict zones.
The safety of UN peacekeepers has become a pressing concern, with operations nearly halted due to ongoing hostilities. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, head of UN peacekeeping operations, reported that peacekeepers are restricted to their bases and often seek shelter amid escalating violence.
While many EU countries have historically supported Israel’s right to self-defense, there is increasing pressure from various factions within Europe to reassess military aid in light of humanitarian concerns. Sanchez has been one of the most vocal critics among EU leaders regarding Israel’s military response to Hamas.
Sanchez expressed regret over what he termed a “lack of agreement within the European Union” on how to respond to the crisis. He stressed that Europe should be consistent not only with its positions but also with upholding international law and humanitarian principles.