Think tank backs Spain’s stance on Gaza, calls for global action against Israeli genocide

“We highly commend the stance taken by the Spanish prime minister,” said the Forum of Thought and Strategic Studies, which includes Arab and Islamic scholars, politicians and rights advocates.

It also praised the Spanish government and public for their “diplomatic and humanitarian efforts” to end the violence in Gaza and lift the blockade.

In a statement, the forum said it “firmly stands in solidarity” with Spain’s position and welcomed Sanchez’s comments calling out Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Urging an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, it called on world leaders, the United Nations and international organizations to echo Spain’s position and increase pressure on Israel to stop its military campaign and allow humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Speaking in parliament last week, Sanchez said “we do not do business with a genocidal state.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv over the remarks, calling them “severe” and requesting an official explanation.

Meanwhile, Spanish state broadcaster RTVE aired a pro-Palestinian message ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest final Saturday in Basel, Switzerland, defying a warning from the European Broadcasting Union. The message said: “When it comes to human rights, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”

On May 7, Sanchez told the Spanish parliament that Madrid would present a draft resolution at the UN General Assembly aimed at “proposing urgent measures to stop the killing of innocent civilians and ensuring humanitarian aid” in Gaza.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing nearly 53,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.