International agenda. A comfortable and fertile ground for Pedro Sánchez. At the end of September, the celebration of the United Nations General Assembly gives the President of the Government an opportunity to unfold his agenda and message in the city of New York. A range of multidisciplinary meetings and interventions. Among those prepared in detail at La Moncloa is the speech at the Low Memorial Library of Columbia University before about 400 students. In an audience that applauded several times Sánchez's position on issues such as freedom of expression, censorship, the "genocide" in Gaza... the head of the Government, without mentioning Donald Trump, presented Spain and himself as the antithesis of the American president. And he delivered several messages, including questioning the international leadership of those who do not try to stop the "genocide" in Gaza and support the Palestinian cause. A veiled message, another to Trump, in his own home. All this while showcasing progressive policies and measures.
The celebration of the 80th United Nations General Assembly was prepared by the Government with a dual purpose: to highlight Spain as one of the countries that has led, especially in Europe, the Palestinian cause and, at the same time, to take advantage of the spotlight to explain to investors and Columbia students the benefits of his government over the past seven years. Because even though in New York the headlines may be dominated by Emmanuel Macron -France recognized Palestine on Monday-, Donald Trump -due to anticipation of his intervention- or other leaders, Sánchez is determined to claim, in this matter, the leading position of our country. This explains the high Spanish representation at the meeting, with the King and Sánchez. It will be Felipe VI who will attend Trump's reception tomorrow and who will state Spain's position in the plenary of the General Assembly, not Sánchez.
In La Moncloa, they are aware that the rise of right-wing and far-right governments worldwide places Sánchez, alongside Brazilian Lula da Silva, as the main references of the left and social democracy in the world. And that, they understand, implies a change in Spain's role. If before they had to look to other countries as a model; now they believe that Spain can be the example. The position on the Palestinian cause and the policies implemented by the Government are two calling cards they want to emphasize.
Spain: an example of immigrant integration
At an event with students at Columbia University, Sánchez continued to portray that profile of an antagonist leader to Donald Trump, a strategy that La Moncloa believes is working for them. The President of the Government positioned Spain as an example of a nation that integrates immigrants, whose arrival and contribution contribute to the country's good economic situation. "Migration is not a source of fear or threat, but a source of hope and opportunity (...) All immigrants, whether legal or illegal, are human beings seeking a better life," said Sánchez, contrasting his message with Trump's policies of repression and deportation. However, he made sure not to mention the US President at any time.
He spoke about Spain's energy transition, decarbonization, economic growth, labor policies, human rights, invited Columbia students to visit Spain... In the morning, he met with representatives of financial firms with interests and presence in Spain such as Brookfield, Bank of New York Mellon, Carlyle, CITI, Goldman Sachs, Invesco, and Soros Fund Management, where he explained and clarified doubts about the measures implemented by his cabinet, some affecting sectors such as housing, banking, or energy.
But New York this week is synonymous with Palestine and Israel. "I believe that right now we are witnessing one of the most terrible and dark events of the 21st century. We see how this is happening before us, and the international community cannot remain silent." This statement led him to send another message to Trump: "What moral leadership can we play in the new global order if we abandon the Palestinians? Two weeks ago, Spain announced nine strong measures to help end this tragedy and we are willing to do everything possible to end this tragedy," he countered again.
But this time, he also wanted to be explicit with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu: "Unfortunately, right now in Israel, there is a leadership that is using this war as an excuse to do something that is not acceptable, which is to destroy Gaza, also occupy the West Bank, and create a Greater Israel without Palestinian presence." Spain has approved a decalogue of measures against this country and has promoted in Europe the rupture of the association agreement with the EU. "We must immediately adopt measures to stop the barbarism and make peace possible," he requested at the UN headquarters.
Today, the Council of Ministers is expected to approve on Tuesday the royal decree consolidating the arms embargo to Israel -an issue that has kept the Government's legal services fully engaged-, Sánchez maintains a tough, direct tone and language to try to stir consciences. He gave voice to a disturbing situation after the recent offensives by Israel: what will remain of the Palestinian state that countries are recognizing. "If the recognition of the Palestinian State is urgent, it is even more urgent that there be a Palestinian population in the State we intend to recognize. And, unfortunately, the Palestinian people are being annihilated," he stated unequivocally. "Let's stop this slaughter," he urged during his intervention at the Two-State Conference held at the UN headquarters and sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia.
"Today we take a crucial step, indeed, by advocating for the two-state solution at this Conference. But let's be clear: there is no possible solution when the population of one of those States is a victim of genocide," stated the President of the Government. "History will judge us, and its verdict will be relentless with those who perpetrated this barbarism and with those who remained silent or looked the other way." Words that resonated in front of the empty chairs of the US and Israel delegations. Just a few seats away, the Palestinian delegation shed tears after France's recognition.