Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has renewed his sharp criticism of what he called "double standards" within the European Union, warning that the disparity in dealing with the Ukraine and Middle East crises undermines the bloc's legitimacy and credibility on the international stage.
The erosion of moral legitimacy
In remarks made yesterday, Sánchez said the EU's failure to take punitive measures against Israel, against the backdrop of its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, weakens the moral and political foundations on which European support for Ukraine is based in the face of Russia's invasion.
"What delegitimizes us, not only in front of the world but also in front of our societies, is this double standard that Europe follows between Ukraine and the Middle East," he explained.
Moves to suspend the partnership agreement
These statements come in the context of Spain's renewed efforts to push for the suspension of the "Association Agreement" between the European Union and Israel, in response to the blows on Lebanon that caused heavy casualties, but this initiative has been met with widespread opposition within the Union, as key countries such as Germany and Italy have not yet decided their position, which hindered the achievement of the majority required to make a decision.
Sánchez revealed that he raised the issue during an informal European summit held in Cyprus, based on an internal review by EU institutions that concluded that Israel was violating "Article II" of the Association Agreement, which explicitly states a commitment to respect human rights.
Division threatens the unity of the situation
The Spanish Prime Minister pointed out that the division among the member states reflects negatively on the unity of the European position, stressing that the Allies cannot show unity in supporting a people whose territorial integrity is being violated in Ukraine, and then the inability to take the same position in Palestine and Lebanon.
Sánchez stressed that the EU, as a "peace project", is obliged to raise its voice in defence of international law, warning that ignoring these principles opens the door to the "law of the strongest", a path that leads to a more fragile and turbulent world. He also reiterated his criticism of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them "illegal" due to their serious humanitarian and economic repercussions.
International Feedback and Endeavor
Israel, on the other hand, rejects Spanish criticism, stressing that its military operations are aimed at eliminating threats from the Iranian-backed Hamas and Hezbollah movements.
In terms of international moves to contain the escalation, US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the "fragile" ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah for three weeks.
In the same context, French President Emmanuel Macron, during his participation in the European summit, called for intensifying efforts to protect Lebanon's stability and sovereignty, amid European fears that the continuation of military operations could undermine the Lebanese government's efforts to disarm Hezbollah, or ignite a new wave of migration towards Europe.