Spanish PM Calls on EU to Terminate Association Agreement with Israel
MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will call on the European Union to end its association agreement with Israel. According to Sanchez, Israel is no longer worthy of being a partner of the Blue Continent bloc.
“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 on Sunday (19/4/2026), quoted by Al Arabiya website.
Sanchez emphasised that Israel has blatantly violated various international laws. “Therefore (Israel) cannot be an EU partner. It’s as simple as that,” he stated.
On Friday (17/4/2026), Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia sent a letter to the European Commission. They called for the agreement with Israel to be discussed at the next EU foreign ministers’ meeting.
In 1995, the European Union and Israel signed the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It serves as the main legal foundation governing EU relations with Tel Aviv. Although signed in 1995, the agreement only came into effect in June 2000.
The EU-Israel Association Agreement includes a clause requiring respect for human rights. Spain and Ireland first called for a review of the agreement in 2024. At that time, Israel was brutally bombarding the Gaza Strip. Under the pretext of targeting Hamas facilities, Israel massacred Gaza civilians, including women and children.
Spain and Ireland are among the countries that have vocally issued strong criticism and condemnation of Israel’s aggression in Gaza. In 2024, the Spanish and Irish governments decided to recognise the State of Palestine. That step was sharply criticised by Israel.
This month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Spain of launching a hostile diplomatic campaign against his country. “Israel will not stand idly by in the face of those who attack us,” Netanyahu said at the time.
“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I will not allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without facing immediate consequences,” Netanyahu added.