Spain Urges UN Action Against Israel’s Gaza Blockade
At the 34th Arab League Summit held in Baghdad on May 17, 2025, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a direct appeal to the international community, urging increased legal and diplomatic pressure on Israel to end its military actions and humanitarian blockade in Gaza. The summit, attended by leaders from across the Arab world, saw Gaza dominate the agenda amid growing international concern over civilian casualties and aid access restrictions.
Spain’s Call for International Legal Action
In a sharply worded address, Sánchez stated that “we must intensify our pressure on Israel to halt the massacre in Gaza, particularly through the channels afforded to us by international law.” Spain announced its intent to table a United Nations resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to assess Israel’s compliance with humanitarian obligations, particularly in relation to its blockade and the obstruction of aid to Gaza.
Calling the civilian death toll “unacceptable,” Sánchez criticized the continued restriction of humanitarian access into Gaza, arguing that such actions violate global conventions and moral responsibilities. His intervention marks a rare instance of a Western European nation aligning publicly with calls from Arab countries for accountability against Israel.
Arab League Summit’s Unified Stance
The summit brought together major Arab leaders, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump to push for a ceasefire in Gaza. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced a $20 million aid commitment for Gaza’s reconstruction, as well as an equal pledge for Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also addressed the gathering, reiterating the call for a permanent ceasefire and stressing the need to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza. Guterres warned against the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling for the international community to respect and uphold humanitarian law in conflict zones.
Spain’s Continued Support for Palestine
Spain’s push at the summit is consistent with its policy shift in May 2024, when it formally recognized the State of Palestine. Since then, the Sánchez administration has been vocal in demanding greater global accountability regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The current proposal to involve the ICJ reflects Madrid’s strategy to elevate the Gaza crisis into a formal legal inquiry at the international level. By leveraging global institutions, Spain aims to bring judicial scrutiny to Israel’s continued blockade, highlighting the disproportionate impact on civilians.
As hostilities in Gaza escalate and humanitarian access remains restricted, Spain’s bold stance at the Arab League Summit signals growing European discontent with the status quo. Whether the proposed resolution gains traction at the UN remains to be seen, but it has already added new momentum to calls for legal accountability and urgent humanitarian relief.
