SvennoJ on 17 May 2025
Palestine bleeding before our eyes: Spain’s Sanchez
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has just addressed the Arab League in Baghdad on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Here are some of his comments:
- “Palestine is bleeding before our eyes. What is unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank cannot go unnoticed.”
- Israeli actions “violate not only the basic principles of humanity, but the basic principles of the international law and the international humanitarian law”.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza must end “immediately and without delay”.
- “Palestine and Spain are working on a new draft to be presented to the United Nations, where we are demanding Israel to end the unjust humanitarian siege laid on Gaza and to allow for the unconditional delivery of relief aid into Gaza”.
- “We are working together in order to have this draft bill adopted and endorsed in the General Assembly of the United Nations.”
- There must be “more pressure on Israel to end the carnage unfolding in Gaza by all the conceivable means, namely the tools available under the international law. And here, I would like to announce that Spain will present a proposal to the General Assembly for the International Criminal Court to examine Israel’s compliance with the delivery of relief aid into Gaza.”
Spanish PM urges for joint Arab-European collaboration on two-state solution
Here’s more from Pedro Sanchez at the Arab League summit in Iraq:
- “I would like to seize the opportunity to support the call for the peace conference, and it is the only path forward towards peace. We should arrive ultimately at the implementation of the two-state solution, whereby the state of Palestine is fully recognised.”
- “France has called for [an] international conference on the Palestinian cause and the implementation of the two-state solution. The conference held in June by France and Saudi Arabia [can be] a platform; however, this cannot be achieved without Arab and European agreement for a joint path forward.”
- “We must strengthen this collaboration, ensuring that international rules apply to all equally, without ambiguity, without double standards, and Spain is committed to doing everything in our power”.
- “The next ministerial meeting of the Madrid group with like-minded countries in favour of a Palestinian state, which will take place next week in Spain, is a testament of our commitment to move forward towards peace.”
Guterres says UN won’t take part in Gaza ‘aid operation’ not adhering to international law
UN chief Antonio Guterres has also focused on the war on Gaza as he addressed the Arab leaders who’ve gathered in Baghdad:
Here are some of his comments:
- We need a permanent ceasefire now; the unconditional release of the hostages now; and the free flow of humanitarian aid ending the blockade now.
- I am alarmed by reported plans by Israel to expand ground operations and more.
- I emphasise the UN will not participate in any so-called aid operation that does not adhere to international law and humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.
- I reiterate my appeal for the urgent and full support of UNRWA’s work, including financial support.
- We reject the repeated displacement of the Gaza population and we obviously reject any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza
- We must also stay focused on the terrible situation in occupied West Bank.
- Let’s be clear: annexation is illegal, settlements are illegal.
- Only a two-state solution can deliver sustainable peace, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security with Jerusalem as the capital of both states in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.
- In Lebanon, Security Council resolution 1701 is unequivocal – the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected and the government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory.
