Israel sanctions debate: Sánchez supports while Merz has reservations
In a series of recent developments, Spain has emerged as a strong critic of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, calling for sanctions and threatening to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) if Israel participates.
The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has argued that Israel should be treated similarly to Russia, which was excluded from the ESC 2022 following its comprehensive military attack on Ukraine. Sánchez has expressed his support for the EU Commission's proposed sanctions against Israel, aiming to pressure the Israeli government to change course.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Sánchez and Merz discussed bilateral relations, European policy, and security policy. However, Merz, who defended his decision to restrict arms exports to Israel, did not comment on the EU Commission's proposed sanctions. The question of sanctions is a contentious issue within the German government, with the SPD advocating for more pressure on Israel and the CSU strictly against further sanctions.
Germany will decide on the EU Commission's proposals by early October. The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed several punitive measures, including stripping Israel of trade preferences that cover 37 percent of its exports to Europe and imposing sanctions on radical politicians accused of human rights violations and incitement to hatred.
Spain's stance on the matter is not isolated. The country has joined South Africa's genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2024. In early September, Spain imposed a complete arms embargo and a ban on entry for individuals involved in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes in Gaza.
The controversy extended to the sporting world during the 2022 Vuelta a España cycling race, where protests against the participation of the Israeli team arose due to the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip. Israel-Premier Tech, the Israeli cycling team, eventually removed 'Israel' from its jerseys during the race.
Spain's broadcaster RTVE, one of the five major financial contributors, has threatened to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if Israel participates. This threat underscores the growing international pressure on Israel regarding its actions in the Gaza Strip.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the EU will respond and whether Germany will fully endorse the proposed sanctions against Israel. The ongoing tensions in the Gaza Strip have sparked a significant debate within the EU and have led to a series of actions aimed at pressuring Israel to change its course.
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