Spain Called Israel "A Genocidal State," For It To Be Banned From Eurovision And Began Reviewing An Arms Embargo
Pedro Sánchez said that Spain would not trade with "a genocidal state," and calling for Israel to be banned from international cultural events such as Eurovision.
Spain's prime minister Pedro Sánchez has called Israel "a genocidal state" and said it should be banned from competing in Eurovision the same way Russia was banned over its invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on May 14, Sánchez said that Spain would not trade with "a genocidal state," marking the first time he had called Israel genocidal over its war on Gaza.
On Monday, May 19, Sánchez again doubled down on Israel, calling for it to be banned from international cultural events such as Eurovision, where Israel competed as a finalist just two days earlier on May 17.
"I believe that no one was shocked three years ago when Russia was asked to withdraw from international competitions after it invaded Ukraine and not participate, for example, at Eurovision. Therefore, Israel should not do so either," he said.
"We cannot allow double standards, not even in culture," he added.
On Tuesday, May 20, Spanish lawmakers voted in favor of a motion calling on the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel in response to its genocide in Gaza.
The motion calls on the government to ban exporting any materials that could strengthen the Israeli military, including helmets, vests and fuel with potential military use, according to Anadolu Agency.
It also recommended the law be amended to ban the government from selling weapons to any country implicated in committing genocide or crimes against humanity, specifically citing Israel's current attacks in Gaza.
Spain's latest moves come as other Western countries are also ramping up pressure on Israel to halt its attacks in Gaza, with the UK, France and Canada issuing a joint statement on Monday, May 19, condemning Israel's renewed offensive in Gaza and threatening sanctions.
The same day, the European Union also said it will review its political and economic agreement between Israel due to the "catastrophic" situation in Gaza.
Diplomats said that the review was backed by 17 out of 27 EU members and will focus on whether Israel is complying with a human rights clause in the agreement, Reuters reported.
Cherry Mohamed
Sofia Hou
