Spanish foreign minister urges immediate vote on sanctions against Israel

ISTANBUL

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares urged a vote on sanctions against Israel during an informal Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in New York.​

Albares "made a call to not wait any longer and to vote as soon as possible on sanctions against Israel. He also asked for clarity on the day of the vote," according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

He reiterated Spain's commitment to multilateralism and international law, in particular the universal principles of the UN Charter, further raising the "European responsibility" to protect the universal principles.

"The Spanish Minister warned his European counterparts that multilateralism and international law are in danger. He offered clear examples such as Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the dire situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the unacceptable attack on Qatari territory," noted the statement.

Albares also called on European partners to "stand firm" in defending the international order.

"Albares also wanted to stress that, if we wish to talk about international law, including international humanitarian law, we must be firm in condemning violations​ wherever they occur. In his view, it must be clear that we stand for the same principles and values in all scenarios, from Ukraine to Gaza, also including Qatar when it was attacked," the statement underscored.

Albares further urged "consistency" in EU actions, noting that the bloc was united and determined in response to Russia but failed to agree on measures about Israel's human rights violations.

"We must be aware that the lack of political will to act in Gaza does not strengthen the EU as a global actor, quite the opposite," he said.