World 'shocked' at images coming out of Gaza, Spanish PM to Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Nov 2023 10:39
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During his tour in the Middle East, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza is "truly unbearable".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez makes an official statement on Venezuela, at La Moncloa palace in Madrid, Spain. on February 4, 2019. (AFP)

Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, urged "Israel" to rethink its strategy in Gaza, as he highlighted the "truly unbearable" number of Palestinians "Israel" killed.

The Spanish Prime Minister said the occupation's "response" to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood cannot include "the deaths of innocent civilians, including thousands of children."

His requests come in the context of a visit to the Middle East with the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, where he called for a "peace conference" and reiterated the need to create an independent Palestinian state, saying it remains the best way to bring "peace and security to the region."

Sanchez arrived in occupied Palestine to meet with the occupation's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday afternoon, where he said he had repeatedly condemned Hamas' "shocking acts of terrorism" and acknowledged "Israel's" alleged "right to defend itself."

However, the Spanish PM confirmed, "Let me also be clear: Israel must abide by international law, including international humanitarian law, in its response," adding, "The whole world is shocked at the images that we see coming from Gaza every day. The number of Palestinians killed is truly unbearable. I believe that all civilians must be protected at all costs."

Earlier, Spain’s Minister of Social Rights and leader of Podemos, Ione Belarra, released a video on the social media platform X to urge European leaders to cut ties with "Israel" after calling out world leaders for allowing the occupation to commit "crimes against humanity" with impunity.

"The Gaza Strip has experienced a hellish night. Israel is not only massively bombing an absolutely defenseless population which includes children, pregnant women, and older people, but also Israel has ended all communication. Internet, phone is cut in the Gaza Strip," she said.

Balerra has led the Spanish government's criticism of "Israel", adopting the most radical stance among her colleagues.

#Spain’s acting Minister for Social Rights Ione Belarra has accused "Israel" of conducting a "planned genocide" in #Gaza, following the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including hundreds of children, in "Israel's" aggression on the Strip.

Belarra, who leads a prominent… pic.twitter.com/FfEj1PSyEA
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 16, 2023

On October 29, she condemned the EU's "inaction", which is turning them into "accomplices in a planned genocide," because since "Israel’s" international alliances "guarantee its impunity," the atrocities are intensifying.

"Cut diplomatic ties with Israel, carry out exemplary economic sanctions against those responsible for this genocide, and without a doubt let’s take [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu before the International Criminal Court so that he can be tried for what he is: a war criminal," she added.

"We have to act now, tomorrow will be late, we have to do it today."

Citizens of Europe were also urged by Belarra to participate in pro-Palestine protests to "end the genocide."

"Today it's #Palestine, tomorrow it could be anyone."

Spanish Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belarra, accuses the Israeli occupation of committing a "live genocide" against Palestinians and calls for bringing Netanyahu and his political leadership to justice before the #ICC.… pic.twitter.com/ScfDvSxCNu
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 15, 2023