Spain's Sánchez Strengthens Ties with Arab Nations Amid Gaza Crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez travels to Turkey to bolster diplomatic efforts concerning Gaza, reflecting Spain’s ambition as a mediator between Europe and the Arab world.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is set to visit Turkey on Friday to reinforce his collaborative stance with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza.
This visit aims to increase pressure on Israel amidst escalating tensions in the region.
Sánchez has actively sought to position Spain as a mediator between Europe and the Arab world, leveraging long-established diplomatic relations and Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, a step recently commended by Erdoğan.
Last weekend, Sánchez was the only European leader to attend the 2025 Arab League summit in Baghdad.
During this summit, he announced Spain's intention to submit two proposals to the upcoming UN General Assembly aimed at addressing the crisis.
One of the proposals, co-sponsored by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calls for an end to what Sánchez describes as the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.
The second request urges the International Court of Justice in The Hague to ensure that Israel adheres to international law.
Sánchez emphasized that these initiatives would only be successful with significant Arab-European consensus leading to decisive action from the international community.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of enhancing the Euro-Arab-Islamic dialogue to address regional challenges.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares claimed in early November that "no one does as much for peace in the Middle East as Spain," articulating the government’s dedication to playing a pivotal role in regional diplomacy.
This initiative has intensified in the wake of the conflict that erupted following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Sánchez’s aspiration to be a conduit between Europe and the Arab world is not novel; it traces back to the diplomatic initiatives of his predecessor, José Luis Zapatero, who in 2005 launched the "Alliance of Civilizations" to foster understanding and dialogue between Western and Arab-Muslim societies.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict, Albares has conducted four diplomatic tours across the Middle East and has convened regular meetings in Madrid with officials from Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
These discussions have primarily focused on the Gaza conflict and advancing bilateral economic and security cooperation.
Sánchez has engaged in multiple meetings with Mahmoud Abbas, reinforcing Spain's commitment to both diplomatic and humanitarian support for Palestine.
In contrast, relations with Israel have deteriorated significantly.
After Spain formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Ambassador Rodica Radian-Gordon, leaving Dan Poraz, chargé d’affaires, as the sole Israeli diplomatic representative in Madrid.
Conversely, Sánchez's diplomatic maneuvering has drawn scrutiny within Spain, where critics allege that the government's focus on Gaza serves as a diversion from escalating domestic issues.
Concerns regarding the government’s response to deadly floods in Valencia, ambiguity surrounding a significant national blackout in April, and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving members of Sánchez’s cabinet are contributing to mounting pressure on the government.
Opponents, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the right-wing Partido Popular, have accused Sánchez of leveraging the Gaza situation for political advantage amid what they describe as systemic governance failures affecting Spain's welfare structure.
This visit aims to increase pressure on Israel amidst escalating tensions in the region.
Sánchez has actively sought to position Spain as a mediator between Europe and the Arab world, leveraging long-established diplomatic relations and Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, a step recently commended by Erdoğan.
Last weekend, Sánchez was the only European leader to attend the 2025 Arab League summit in Baghdad.
During this summit, he announced Spain's intention to submit two proposals to the upcoming UN General Assembly aimed at addressing the crisis.
One of the proposals, co-sponsored by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calls for an end to what Sánchez describes as the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.
The second request urges the International Court of Justice in The Hague to ensure that Israel adheres to international law.
Sánchez emphasized that these initiatives would only be successful with significant Arab-European consensus leading to decisive action from the international community.
Furthermore, he underscored the importance of enhancing the Euro-Arab-Islamic dialogue to address regional challenges.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares claimed in early November that "no one does as much for peace in the Middle East as Spain," articulating the government’s dedication to playing a pivotal role in regional diplomacy.
This initiative has intensified in the wake of the conflict that erupted following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Sánchez’s aspiration to be a conduit between Europe and the Arab world is not novel; it traces back to the diplomatic initiatives of his predecessor, José Luis Zapatero, who in 2005 launched the "Alliance of Civilizations" to foster understanding and dialogue between Western and Arab-Muslim societies.
Since the onset of the Gaza conflict, Albares has conducted four diplomatic tours across the Middle East and has convened regular meetings in Madrid with officials from Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
These discussions have primarily focused on the Gaza conflict and advancing bilateral economic and security cooperation.
Sánchez has engaged in multiple meetings with Mahmoud Abbas, reinforcing Spain's commitment to both diplomatic and humanitarian support for Palestine.
In contrast, relations with Israel have deteriorated significantly.
After Spain formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled Ambassador Rodica Radian-Gordon, leaving Dan Poraz, chargé d’affaires, as the sole Israeli diplomatic representative in Madrid.
Conversely, Sánchez's diplomatic maneuvering has drawn scrutiny within Spain, where critics allege that the government's focus on Gaza serves as a diversion from escalating domestic issues.
Concerns regarding the government’s response to deadly floods in Valencia, ambiguity surrounding a significant national blackout in April, and ongoing investigations into alleged corruption involving members of Sánchez’s cabinet are contributing to mounting pressure on the government.
Opponents, including Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the right-wing Partido Popular, have accused Sánchez of leveraging the Gaza situation for political advantage amid what they describe as systemic governance failures affecting Spain's welfare structure.
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