Spain seeks immediate suspension of EU association agreement with Israel; Italy opposed

By Reuters 23 June 2025, 2:56 pm 4 Edit

File: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares looks on during a press conference at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 11, 2025. (Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares tells reporters he will ask the EU Council to approve an immediate suspension of the pact that governs the relationship between the EU and Israel to protest against what he calls human rights violations in Gaza.

He also says he will ask the council to approve an embargo on weapons sold to Israel and approve sanctions on individuals who are undermining the two-state solution.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says Rome is against a suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

“Our position is different from that of Spain,” Tajani says on the sidelines of a meeting with EU colleagues in Brussels.

Tajani adds that it is important to keep relations open with Israel, saying that this has facilitated the evacuation of some civilians out of Gaza.