Spain, Ireland urge EU to end free trade agreement with Israel

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on the European Union to bring an immediate end to its free trade agreement with Israel due to its ongoing violent military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon.

Sanchez believes Israel’s military campaigns in the region violate human rights, specifically the human rights clause in the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

This move is consistent with Ireland’s stance, and both countries have been pushing for a review of the agreement for months.

Sanchez’s request comes after Israel struck the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which includes troops from Spain and Ireland. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares condemned the action, calling it “unacceptable” and a violation of UN rules.

Spain has been critical of Israel’s actions since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 hostages.

Sanchez has urged other countries to stop supplying weapons to Israel, citing concerns about escalating violence in the region.