Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Sunday that Spain will present a proposal to the European Union (EU), calling on the 27-member bloc to break off its association agreement with Israel over the Middle East country's violations of international law in military operations, particularly those in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
At a campaign rally in the southern province of Huelva, Sanchez said a government that violates international law or the principles of the EU cannot be its partner.
Sanchez said that Spain would be formally requesting the termination of the Association Agreement during a meeting of the EU's 27 foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
The prime minister added that Spain is "a friend of Israel", but that it does not share the actions of its government, and urged other European countries to join the initiative.
At the campaign event, he also reiterated Spain's opposition to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, describing it as a major mistake.
Spain has in recent months adopted a more assertive stance on Middle East issues, calling for greater adherence to international law and multilateral principles in EU's external relations.
Earlier this month, Sanchez said that Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law, urging the European Union to act decisively to prevent Lebanon from becoming "a new Gaza."
The Association Agreement has been in force since 2000 to provide the legal basis for the EU's trade relationship with Israel.
Spain pushes to end EU-Israel association agreement
Spain pushes to end EU-Israel association agreement
