Spain’s Sánchez at Baghdad Summit: “The Time Has Come to Recognize Two State Solution”

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez delivered a resolute address at the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday, marking a defining moment in Madrid’s historic engagement with the Arab world and making an impassioned appeal for decisive action on Palestine.

“I congratulate Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Iraq’s economic progress,” Sánchez began, describing his presence at the summit as “a milestone in Spain’s long-standing and sincere friendship with the Arab League.”

“Palestine Is Bleeding Before Our Eyes”

Sánchez devoted the majority of his remarks to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the situation as intolerable and a violation of all humanitarian and international legal norms.

“What is happening in Gaza and the West Bank cannot be ignored—not in Europe, nor anywhere else in the world,” he said. “Redrawing the map of the Middle East by force will awaken the darkest nightmares of our past.”

He cited stark figures: over 50,000 killed, 100,000 wounded, and two million displaced, calling the situation a humanitarian calamity that must be addressed with urgency.

Four-Point Call to Action

Sánchez laid out a clear roadmap for coordinated international action:

1. Immediate Humanitarian Access and Ceasefire:
Spain and Palestine will submit a new resolution to the UN General Assembly, demanding Israel lift the humanitarian blockade on Gaza and allow unrestricted access to aid.

2. Pressure on Israel via International Law:
Spain will propose a motion for the International Court of Justice to assess Israel’s compliance with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

3. Universal Jurisdiction to Investigate War Crimes:
Sánchez urged states to invoke the principle of universal jurisdiction to investigate atrocities committed in the current conflict.

4. Political Solution and a Two-State Framework:
He called for reviving peace negotiations and expressed Spain’s full commitment to achieving a two-state solution, emphasizing the necessity of Arab-European consensus to jointly recognize the State of Palestine.

“Only a united Arab and European front will pave the way for recognition and peace,” he asserted.

Madrid to Host Diplomatic Initiative

Sánchez announced that Spain will host a ministerial meeting of the Madrid Group this week, bringing together countries aligned on the recognition of Palestine.

“This initiative will reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing peace,” he stated. “Spain stands as a steadfast ally for multilateralism—the only path to lasting peace in the Middle East.”

In closing, Sánchez reaffirmed Spain’s role as a partner of the Arab world, committed to justice, peace, and international cooperation.