Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas called, during his meeting with Pedro Sánchez, for a second peace summit to be held in Madrid, like the one held in 1991. “We cannot forget the role of Spain in hosting the 1991 peace summit and that is why we affirm and reiterate our request to hold a second peace conference in Madrid,” he said. “The resolution of the International Court of Justice supports my opinion,” he added.
Sánchez stressed that this is the first visit to Spain by the head of the Palestinian state since its recognition as a full state last May. Abbas thanked Sánchez for this decision, as well as “for his efforts within the EU when it came to talking about the two-state solution.”
The recognition of the State of Palestine and criticism of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has left more than 40,000 dead, have caused several episodes of crisis between Spain and the far-right Israeli government. “The two-state solution is the only possible way to bring peace to the entire region. I am convinced that more countries will join in the reactivation of the political process,” Sánchez said in reference to the recognition of Palestine.
Days after the recognition, Spain announced that it was joining the proceedings against Israel for genocide before the International Court of Justice, for which Abbas also personally thanked the president in his statement to the media after the meeting.
“Today, the risk of escalation has increased again in Lebanon, which is why we must make a new and firm call for containment, de-escalation, peaceful coexistence between countries and peace,” Sánchez said in reference to the wave of explosions in Lebanon that have left at least 37 dead in just two days. As usual in this type of case, Israel has not confirmed responsibility for the operation, but all eyes are on Tel Aviv.
“In addition to the intolerable humanitarian catastrophe, the other great danger is the threat to the rules-based international order,” Sánchez said. “We must act in the face of any violation of international law,” he added, referring to the decisions of the International Court of Justice.
Sánchez stressed the importance of the Court’s advisory opinion on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. “We welcome the fact that yesterday the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution demanding that Israel end its illegal presence in both Gaza and the West Bank. Those of us committed to international law know that this is a step in the right direction.”
