Spanish Prime Minister calls on European Union to recognize Palestinian state

RAFAH, EGYPT - NOVEMBER 24: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks to media alongside Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (not pictured) during a visit to the Rafah border crossing on November 24, 2023 in Rafah, Egypt. (Photo by Ali Moustafa/Getty Images)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Friday called on the European Union to recognize a Palestinian state in remarks delivered at the Rafah border crossing in Gaza.

Speaking alongside Belgium Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Sánchez criticized Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip and said it was time for the international community to recognize Palestinian statehood. He warned that if the European Union fails to act, Spain would do so unilaterally.

Sánchez said it would better if the EU did it together, “but if this is not the case … Spain will take their own decisions.”

He was speaking at end of a two-day visit to Israel, Palestinian Territories and Egypt with de Croo.

Israel has the right to defend itself "but it must do so within the parameters and limits imposed by international humanitarian law and this is not the case,” Sánchez said. “The indiscriminate killing of civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable.”

In response, the Israeli government ahs summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium, the Associated Press reported.