Amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Spain and Israel, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke by phone with Israeli Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.
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| Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is working to ease tensions with Israel. (Source: Anadolu) |
"Once again, I condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez shared about his phone call with Benny Gantz on X (formerly Twitter) on December 1st.
Affirming that Israel is "a partner and friend of Spain," Pedro Sanchez told Benny Gantz that Israel had the "right to self-defense" against the attack, but he "reiterated that Spain finds the civilian deaths in Gaza unacceptable and that Israel must abide by international humanitarian law."
Benny Gantz also stated on X-page that he emphasized to Sanchez that "for the security and safety of the Israeli people and to restore stability in the region," Hamas must "be destroyed in Gaza," and affirmed, "The State of Israel places great importance on avoiding civilian casualties as much as possible."
Benny Gantz, a former Defense Minister and one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main political rivals, was appointed Minister of War following the October 7 attack.
The previous day, Israel recalled its ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian, over what Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called Prime Minister Sanchez's "cruel" statements questioning Israel's respect for international humanitarian law and reiterating unacceptable military action in the Gaza Strip.
This is the latest development in the escalating diplomatic tensions between Israel and Spain.
Last week, Israel summoned the Spanish ambassador to Israel and said that Spain was "supporting terrorism," after Prime Minister Sanchez stated that Israel was not respecting international law in its attacks on Gaza.
In response, Spain summoned the Israeli ambassador, criticizing Israel's portrayal of Prime Minister Sanchez as "false" and "unacceptable."
According to Anadolu , the Spanish government is one of the most outspoken European countries in criticizing Israel's response to Hamas attacks.
On November 30, Sanchez also warned that "what happens in Gaza after the cycle of violence ends will also be unacceptable."
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