• 'We are getting close, at least, to a qualified majority,’ for EU-level measures to pressure Israel to end war, Jose Manuel Albares tells Anadolu
• Minister accuses Israel of waging a campaign with ‘no military goal beyond destruction and making the population suffer'
• Albares backs Spanish protesters at the La Vuelta cycling race, offers full protection for activists on a flotilla mission to end the Gaza blockade

MADRID

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that the European Union is edging closer to adopting measures to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza, stressing that the bloc must uphold its own rules on international law.

“We have to act, and I’m certain that sooner or later we will,” he told Anadolu in an interview.

Albares presented a proposal for the EU to take measures to stop the war at a recent informal council of foreign ministers in Copenhagen. He said the proposals were “absolutely viable” because they rely on existing EU legislation, including restrictions on arms sales to countries at war and compliance with International Court of Justice rulings.

Some of the measures would require unanimity, while others could pass with a qualified majority – meaning support from 15 of the 27 member states representing at least 65% of the EU population.

“I verified that the majority of countries currently want the EU to have a strong voice in defense of international law and human rights law to protect the civilian Palestinian victims in Gaza – little girls and boys, babies, journalists, humanitarian workers,” Albares said.

He acknowledged that unanimity within the bloc remains elusive, but insisted that momentum is building.

“We are getting close, at least, to a qualified majority for some of these measures,” he said. “Spain will keep leading within the EU to ensure the bloc takes concrete actions because morality and declarations alone, as we’ve seen, won’t stop this Israeli offensive.”

In May 2024, Spain joined other nations such as Ireland and Norway in formally recognizing a Palestinian state. Now, more nations, including Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, have said they will follow suit.   

Baffled by EU’s double standard

Albares accused Israel of waging a war in Gaza with “no military goal beyond destruction and making the population suffer.”

He said he was baffled by the bloc’s strong response to Russia’s war in Ukraine compared with Gaza.

“The same principles, the same international law, the same lack of protection for civilians, the same fact of targeting hospitals, places of worship, UN centers -- the same as in Ukraine, we are seeing in Gaza,” he said.

He pointed to the bloc’s rapid response to Russia’s invasion as proof it can act decisively when there is a political will.

“The EU and Spain, from the beginning, have known how to use their voice and call things what they are, and most importantly, take concrete measures to try to stop the war of aggression in Ukraine,” he said.

While recognizing that some EU countries have complex historical relationships with Israel, he insisted that stronger measures on Gaza do not “go against the Israeli population or the Jewish people.”

“They go in favor of international law, in favor of the smallest modicum of humanity,” he said. “They go in favor of putting an end to this craziness, this barbarism.”  

Backing Spanish activists in La Vuelta, flotilla mission

Spanish activists have long been among the most outspoken in Europe against Israel’s actions in Gaza, but in recent days, as a man-made famine persists and Israel vows to intensify military operations, protests have grown.

“I am very proud to be the foreign minister of a country that shows solidarity, that does not tolerate barbarism, that mobilizes to stop this massacre we are seeing in Gaza,” said Albares.

During the cycling race La Vuelta in Spain, pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated for the removal of the Israeli cycling team, owned by an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the 11th stage in Bilbao, protesters even made it impossible to finish.

Albares, speaking separately to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, said he favors expelling the Israeli team as a way to “send a message to Israel.”

Spain has also been at the heart of the largest flotilla mission to break the Gaza blockade. It set sail from Barcelona this week with hundreds of participants, including Spanish artists, politicians and activists, and around 20 ships. They plan to link up with more activists on their way to Gaza.

“I wish the flotillas weren’t needed,” Albares told Anadolu. “We are demanding an end to this Israeli blockade of Gaza and for humanitarian aid to enter on a large scale with no type of restrictions.”

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed designating flotilla activists as terrorists and placing them in prolonged detention.

“It is unacceptable to try to describe as terrorists people who are propelled by humanity and solidarity,” Albares responded. “Not only do I totally reject that they call Spanish citizens showing solidarity terrorists. Instead, they have all the diplomatic and consular protection, as it has been in past flotillas, of the Spanish government, and we are watching the situation very closely.”  

Cooperation with Türkiye

Albares underscored Spain’s close partnership with Türkiye in working to alleviate the crisis in Gaza.

“Certainly, Türkiye and Spain are two friendly countries and strategic partners. We believe in the United Nations, in multilateralism, in international law,” he said, adding that he is in frequent contact with his Turkish counterpart.

He said he is open to working with Ankara on concrete plans to end the war and create a hopeful future for the region.

“For anything in favor of peace, in favor of establishing a Palestinian state so that the two-state solution becomes a reality, Spain will be there with its friends and allies,” he said.   

Warning on Russia

Turning to Ukraine, Albares said Russia has shown no willingness to pursue peace, not even an unconditional ceasefire.

“What we see each day are continued missile launches that continue the war,” he said.

While Europe supports opportunities for peace, he stressed it must be “a lasting peace, a just peace.”

“I hope it’s not a parenthesis between two wars, a stalling tactic to intensify the war later,” he said.

He added that Ukraine and the EU must be present at any peace talks.

“The security, as well as the democratic values of Ukraine, are tightly linked to Europe – with our security and our values,” he said.