The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has sent a letter to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in which he requests that a debate about the situation in Gaza be held during next week's EU summit, in order to that there is a “clear and common” position.
Sánchez's letter is also signed by his Belgian counterparts, Alexander de Croo; Ireland, Leo Varadkar and Malta, Robert Abela, after this week António Guterres, Secretary General of the UN and very critical of Israel, requested the intervention of the Security Council.
The four heads of government believe that the situation in Gaza is alarming and believe that it should be addressed at the summit on December 14 and 15, and that the proposal for the creation of two states should be included.
The signatories reiterate that they condemn the terrorist attack by Hamas, which caused 1,300 deaths in Israel on October 7, that they admit that the Jewish state has the right to defend itself, as well as they are glad for the one-week humanitarian pause that allowed the release from the hostages kidnapped by the Palestinians, as well as the entry of humanitarian aid.
But in the letter they say that the EU must demand the entry into force of a humanitarian ceasefire, demand the protection of civilians in Gaza and that humanitarian aid can enter the Strip without obstacles.
Specifically, they propose that the work of UN agencies be facilitated and that the Kerem Shalom border crossing be opened for direct access of humanitarian products.
Regarding politics, Sánchez asks that the EU defend a political process on the two-state solution. This solution would be proposed at an international peace conference, and would be the basis, in his opinion, of a lasting peace.
The signatories are betting that the Palestinian National Authority will assume control of Gaza, and they want to reduce tension in the West Bank by banning travel and freezing the assets of Israelis who settle there.
Sánchez, De Croo, Varadkar and Abela show in the letter their concern about the increase in anti-Semitic attacks in Europe, and believe that the EU must take action on the matter.
This letter is signed by Sánchez when there is less than a month left for the Spanish rotating presidency of the Council to end, and it will be Belgium precisely who will take over.
A month ago, De Croo and Sánchez made a controversial visit to Israel, where they challenged Prime Minister Netanyahu, which caused a series of disagreements that have opened a serious diplomatic crisis between Spain and Israel.