BRUSSELS, June 26 (KUNA) -- Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday that the situation in the Gaza Strip has reached a "catastrophic stage of genocide," calling on the European Union to "immediately" suspend its cooperation agreement with the Israeli occupation.
In a statement to reporters ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez pointed to the recent report issued by the EU Commission saying it addressed "the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza." The Spanish Prime Minister stressed, "it is more evident than ever that the Israeli occupation is violating its obligations," emphasizing that the EU "must immediately suspend its cooperation agreement with it." He added, "It makes no sense" that the EU impose 18 packages of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. Yet, "in a double standard, is not even capable of suspending an association agreement." Sanchez urged EU member states to "take a clear and consistent stance with European values and human rights by suspending the cooperation agreement with the Israeli occupation," stressing that silence or complacency in the face of what is happening in Gaza is "morally and politically unacceptable." It is worth noting that during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting last May, a majority of member states expressed support for initiating a review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the Association Agreement, which obligates both parties to respect human rights.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, presented the findings of that review to EU foreign ministers on Monday, concluding that there are "indications" that Israel is violating its human rights obligations.
In light of what they described as the "Council's failure to take a position," EU countries, including Spain and Belgium, called on Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas to "convey their frustration to the Israeli side and present proposals for concrete and appropriate measures by July." (end) arn.gta