Spain Calls on EU to Cancel Agreement with Israel

Darwin, 20 April : Spain will request the European Union (EU) to formally terminate its existing Association Agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced.

Speaking at an election rally in Andalusia on Sunday (April 19), Sánchez revealed this significant decision. He stated clearly that a government that violates international law and disregards the fundamental principles and values of the European Union cannot be considered a partner of the EU. He confirmed that Spain will raise this proposal at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Sánchez also urged other EU member states to support Spain’s proposal. He clarified that Spain holds no hostility toward the Israeli people, but disagrees with the actions of the current Israeli government. Sánchez described the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict as a “grave mistake.”

He said the war is causing thousands of deaths, displacing millions, and inflicting billions of euros in economic damage. He strongly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be stopped.

It is worth noting that in 2024, Spain and Ireland first called for a review of this agreement with Israel. While the EU-Israel agreement includes a free trade area and other benefits, it also contains a binding human rights clause.

In May 2025, the EU agreed to review the agreement, and a month later, the European Commission indicated there were “signs” that Israel might be violating its human rights obligations. However, no concrete measures were proposed at that time. Recently, Madrid has decided to revive discussions on canceling the agreement in coordination with Ireland and Slovenia.

Spain’s firm stance could create renewed divisions within the European Union over the Israel issue, according to international political analysts. Sánchez’s remarks come at a time when escalating conflict in the Middle East is negatively affecting Europe’s economy and public security.

Sánchez believes that only economic sanctions or diplomatic pressure can compel the Israeli government to comply with international law. The future of EU-Israel relations will largely depend on how Spain’s proposal is received at the Luxembourg meeting.