Spain urges EU to use pressure tools against Israeli government

Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has called for a firmer European stance as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues and Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank persists.

In a post on X on Monday, Albares said killings were still ongoing in Gaza while humanitarian aid remained stuck at border crossings. 

He added that the European Union’s silence over what he described as Israeli violations in the West Bank and attempts to displace Palestinians was incomprehensible, calling for a clearer stance that aligns with the values proclaimed by the Union.

Albares said the EU has the necessary tools to exert pressure on the Israeli government and urged the bloc to use them effectively to address the worsening humanitarian situation and continued settlement expansion.

In a separate statement, he also criticised US tariffs, describing them as an attack on European sovereignty. He stressed the need to respond to such policies in a way that protects the European Union’s interests.

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