Spain Urges EU to End Association Agreement with Israel

Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez will request the European Union to end its association agreement with Israel over alleged violations of international law. Spain has criticised the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza conflict and Israel’s attacks on neighbouring Lebanon.

“On Tuesday, the Spanish government will submit a proposal to the European Union to terminate the EU’s association agreement with Israel,” Sanchez said at a political rally in Andalusia, as reported by AFP on Sunday (19/4/2026).

He accused Israel of “violating international law” and therefore “cannot be an EU partner… it’s as simple as that”.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded with a social media post in Spanish, stating that his country “will not accept hypocritical lectures from someone who maintains relations with totalitarian regimes”, citing Turkey and Venezuela under former leader Nicolas Maduro.

The June 2000 association agreement—a pact that establishes a framework for cooperation—includes a clause requiring respect for human rights.

Spain and Ireland first called for a review in 2024 in connection with Israel’s bombing of Gaza.

Spain’s recognition of the Palestinian state in the same year angered Israel, and Sanchez has intensified his criticism of the Netanyahu government since then.

Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia sent a letter to the European Commission on Friday (17/4), calling for the agreement with Israel to be discussed at the next EU foreign ministers’ meeting.

This month, Netanyahu accused Spain of launching a hostile diplomatic campaign against his country and barred Madrid from participating in work at a US-led centre formed to help stabilise Gaza after the war.