In an interview with radio network Onda Cero, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressed that the Government sees Middle East stability as possible only with Palestine and Israel coexisting as states.

«Spain rejects any illegal annexation of Gaza or the West Bank,» emphasised Albares when commenting on Israeli regime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s perspective regarding extending or halting military attacks against Palestinians.

The diplomat warned that the solution also requires Israel’s recognition by some Arab countries, though the crucial step is «establishing the State of Palestine including Gaza and the West Bank under a single national authority.»

He equally denounced the «extremely grave crimes» occurring in Israel’s offensive, alongside attempts to starve Palestinians – actions which, in his view, the European Union (EU) «cannot permit».

«If Europe doesn’t vigorously champion Palestine’s defence and human rights, the world is lost – no one else will do it,» he asserted.

In this vein, he deplored the EU’s insufficient action and delay, «far too late; it should have been more forceful.»

The Spanish Foreign Secretary opined that the EU’s association agreement with Israel should have been terminated «many months ago.»

«Europe bears special responsibility,» he underscored while highlighting Spain’s «distinct stance» regarding this conflict.

Albares further clarified that «Hamas is a ‘terrorist organisation’ and therefore cannot play any role in the future governance of that Palestinian State.»