At the NATO 75th anniversary summit in Washington, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sparked controversy by recognizing a Palestinian state and criticizing Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas. Sanchez emphasized the need for consistency in international law, drawing parallels between the situations in Ukraine and Gaza.
“If we are telling our people that we are supporting Ukraine because we are defending international law, this is the same as what we have to do towards Gaza,” Sanchez stated. His remarks highlighted the socialist leader’s call for a “consistent political position” and an end to “double standards” in international affairs.
Sanchez stressed the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians and called for an international peace conference to advocate for a Palestinian state. “We need to create the conditions for an immediate and urgent ceasefire,” he urged. He warned of a “real risk of escalation to Lebanon” if the conflict continues unchecked.
The Spanish Prime Minister also reaffirmed his support for “democracy, freedom, and the right to exist of a country such as Ukraine.” His comments came as NATO leaders issued a declaration confirming that Ukraine’s future lies within the alliance. The Washington Summit Declaration, issued Wednesday, stated that Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to joining NATO, with member states pledging long-term support to Kyiv.
U.S. President Joe Biden echoed these sentiments, opening the summit’s first working session with a call for increased industrial production among NATO members to match Russia’s military manufacturing capabilities. “We cannot allow the alliance to fall behind,” Biden asserted.
The summit underscored NATO’s commitment to supporting Ukraine while also bringing to light differing perspectives within the alliance on other international conflicts. Sanchez’s bold stance on the Israel-Palestine issue reflects a growing discourse on the need for coherent and equitable application of international law across global crises.
