Ursula von der Leyen has taken a very significant step in the relationship between the European Union and Israel: the Commission President has proposed a partial suspension of the Trade Association Agreement between both territories in response to the "unacceptable" situation in Gaza.
"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the world's conscience. People being killed while asking for food. Mothers holding lifeless children. These images are simply catastrophic. So I want to start with a very clear message: man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of children, for humanity, this must stop," Von der Leyen denounced during her State of the Union address, announcing the intention to suspend the trade agreement.
The President also wanted to point out that she has been "a friend of Israel for a long time". In fact, this closeness has been criticized by some voices in Brussels who demanded more firmness from the President. Von der Leyen also stated that "the atrocious attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7 shocked and grieved the nation."
"The hostages have now been held by Hamas terrorists for over 700 days since October 7. These are 700 days of pain and suffering. There can never be a place for Hamas, not now or in the future. Because they are terrorists who want to destroy Israel. And they are also inflicting terror on their own people. Holding their future hostage," she continued.
The situation has become so untenable that the high-ranking German official had no choice but to propose this suspension of relations. Almost immediately, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reacted to the announcement. Welcoming the measure, although he considers it insufficient, and stating that Spain's role has been key in this decision.
"I welcome the measures just proposed by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, regarding the role of the European Union in Gaza and Palestine. The Spanish Government has been strongly and insistently requesting all these measures. And today, once again, thanks to Spain's leadership and influence in the European Union in defense of innocent civilians in Gaza, they are finally on the table," Albares stated in remarks provided by the Foreign Minister.
"The Commission President has the full support of the Spanish Government to move forward with that suspension, which she proposes partially we would like it to be total. But we welcome the partial suspension of that association agreement between Israel and the European Union," he added, emphasizing that Europeans cannot have normal relations with Israel "when there is a blatant systematic daily violation of human rights in Gaza."
The Second Vice President, Yolanda Díaz, also expressed being "absolutely in favor" of Von der Leyen's announcement, while at the same time criticizing the delay in the measure. "We should have done this earlier and we must advance in these measures not only to stop the barbarism in Gaza, but to finally achieve respect for international law," she stated in the corridors of the Congress, as reported by Europa Press.
And Varsen Aghabekian, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, endorsed the "key" role of the Spanish Government in the proposal to suspend the trade agreement between the European Union and Israel. "Spain plays a fundamental role, and has exercised it, achieving and influencing others to take action and speak out in support of Palestine," she stated in remarks to EFE.