Madrid, Sep 18 (EFE).- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz showed their differences on Thursday over the response to Israel’s operations in Gaza, the term genocide, and the opportunity to recognize Palestine as a state.
The prime ministers met on Thursday at the Moncloa Palace during the German chancellor’s first visit to Spain since May.
They agreed in criticizing the situation in Gaza but disagreed on a response towards Israel.
The Spanish PM was the first to bring up the situation in the Strip, acknowledging that Germany has supported UN resolutions urging Israel to cease violence, allow humanitarian aid access to Gaza, and move towards a two-state solution.
However, the German chancellor made it clear his government is not considering recognizing Palestine at this time, as this should be “one of the last steps on the road to this solution.”
In contrast, Sánchez has called for this recognition because he believes it should allow for the peaceful coexistence of the two peoples.
Regarding the fact that the Prime Minister speaks of genocide and Merz refuses to use that term, the former pointed out that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that the UN has already considered what is happening in Gaza to be genocide, and, according to polls, the vast majority of Spanish citizens also believe this to be the case.
However, both stressed that Spain and Germany are united in their objectives, even if they disagree on the path to achieve them.
“Criticism of the Israeli government must be possible, but we must never allow it to be used to incite hatred against Jews,” Merz said, adding that he and Sanchez also agreed.
Merz has repeated that he does not agree that it is genocide, although he has stressed that they regret the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza and agree that the Israeli government’s actions are disproportionate.
However, he has specified that this war will end when Hamas releases the Israeli hostages and lays down its arms.
In response to the sanctions proposals presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Merz said that his government will deliberate on these issues next week and will present its position at the informal summit of leaders scheduled for October 1 in Copenhagen.
Merz said Germany stands “firmly” with Israel but described its military response in Gaza as “disproportionate.”
Sánchez expressed his full agreement with the Commission’s proposals for sanctions after Spain suspended the EU’s association agreement with Israel a year ago.
The Spanish Prime Minister clarified that the Spanish people are friends with the Israeli people, that he condemned the Hamas attacks from the outset, and has since demanded the release of all hostages.
However, he stressed that Spain has experience in defeating terrorism and believes that this cannot be achieved in the way Israel is attempting, with indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population that have left more than 60,000 dead.
He said that the result of all this will be a more isolated and insecure country, which is why he believes it is important to convey to the Israeli government that its strategy is “deeply misguided.” EFE
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