Spain says ‘we must do everything possible to make Israel comply’ with ICJ decisions

OVIEDO, Spain

“We must do everything possible to make Israel comply," with International Court of Justice (ICJ) decisions, the Spanish foreign minister said on Friday.

“What we’ve seen in recent days is that the precautionary measures … mandatory for all parties … are not being followed … the fact that they are not differentiating military and civil targets, that they are attacking hospitals and schools … we see that there is no will to comply,” Jose Manuel Albares said in an interview published by Spanish daily El Pais.

Albares on Thursday announced Spain would join South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ, which has ordered Israel to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Israeli forces in the territory have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border incursion by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives.

The move is not to “go against Israel” but to “stop the war,” he told El Pais, adding that Spain is already working on a report, which could exceed 100 pages, on the case. “In this document, we are supporting the court's work, without pretending to replace it,” the minister said.

Asked if Israel should be sanctioned if it does not comply, Albares did not answer directly, instead saying nations must do “everything possible” to force the Israeli government to do so.

Last week, Spain also recognized Palestine as a state, alongside Norway and Ireland.

That move, plus comments from Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s far-left deputy premier, triggered Israel to announce it would prevent Spain’s consulate in East Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the Spanish consulate would be closed if it continued to operate as normal.

Albares, however, confirmed the consulate continues “opening its doors with full normality” and is not following Israel’s orders.

He justified the move by saying consulates have “privileges and immunities regulated by the Vienna Conventions.”

“The Consulate in Jerusalem is also unique — it has a historical status that dates back to the mid-19th century, under the Ottoman Empire, to protect pilgrims to the Holy Land. In 1986, when Spain established relations with Israel, there was an exchange of diplomatic notes in which it was established that Israel would respect this status,” he added.

Albares said shutting down the consulate would be a “serious and extremely unfriendly” move.