Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, has once again criticized what he terms the European Union’s «double standard» regarding its readiness to impose sanctions on Russia contrasted with its reluctance towards Israel.
According to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the European Union’s reluctance to impose sanctions on Israel for its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon undermines the bloc’s collective «credibility» and «legitimacy» when it comes to supporting Ukraine against Russia’s extensive invasion.
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«A factor that delegitimizes us not only internationally but also within our own societies is this inconsistency, this double standard that Europe applies in its approaches to Ukraine and the Middle East,» Sánchez stated on Friday.
This statement coincides with Spain’s recent attempt to end the EU-Israel Association Agreement following lethal strikes on Lebanon, an effort that faced widespread resistance from other EU countries. Germany and Italy, pivotal for securing the qualified majority needed to partially suspend the agreement, remain undecided.
During an informal summit in Cyprus, Sánchez addressed fellow EU leaders, referencing an internal assessment by Brussels which concluded that Israel violated Article 2 of the Association Agreement, a clause that enforces binding commitments to uphold human rights.
The assessment was issued last year amid the conflict in Gaza, which triggered a severe humanitarian crisis and provoked several sanction proposals against Israel — none of which received approval from EU member states. This review did not encompass Lebanon.
«It is inconsistent to maintain unified support for a nation (Ukraine) confronting invasion and threats to its territorial integrity, while failing to apply the same principles in the Middle East, particularly concerning Lebanon, Palestine, Gaza, and the West Bank,» Sánchez remarked.
«Unfortunately, opinions among governments diverge,» he added.
«This lack of consensus weakens the European Union’s stance, especially regarding its political legitimacy and credibility in defending just causes such as that of Ukraine.»
The Spanish leader emphasized that the EU, established as a «peace project,» must actively call for «respect for international law».
«Failing to do so shifts the balance towards the might-makes-right principle, which is evident in current events. This fosters a world that is weaker, more unstable, and less certain,» he said in reference to the US-Israeli decision to strike Iran, a move he has consistently condemned as «illegal».
«Ultimately, this results in costs measured in casualties, refugee displacement, and the economic repercussions all governments are now contending with because of unilateral and illegal acts from other countries.»
Israel has consistently rejected Spain’s criticism, defending its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon as efforts to neutralize threats from Hamas and Hezbollah, both backed by Iran.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah had been extended by three weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also present at the Cyprus summit, urged the EU to enhance its efforts to protect Lebanon’s «peace, stability, and sovereignty».
European officials are concerned that ongoing offensives in Lebanon could disrupt the government’s challenging attempts to disarm Hezbollah and trigger a migratory crisis.