Pedro Sánchez: "Palestine is bleeding to death before our eyes. In the face of violence, we stand for a world order where justice prevails"

Baghdad (Iraq)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Villar)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has taken part as a special guest in the 34th Summit of the League of Arab States held in Baghdad. During his speech at the opening session, the president invited its members to work together to ensure the success of the draft resolution before the UN General Assembly promoted by Spain and Palestine, which will demand that Israel end the humanitarian blockade imposed on Gaza and provide full and unrestricted access for humanitarian assistance.

"Palestine is bleeding to death before our eyes. In the face of violence and barbarism, only the staunch defence of a world order where justice prevails is possible," he stressed.

The president announced that Spain will take a proposal to the UN Assembly for the International Court of Justice to rule on Israel's compliance with its international obligations regarding humanitarian access to Gaza.

Pedro Sánchez also advocated promoting a political solution to the conflict through the implementation of the two-state solution. "With this in mind, Spain recognised the Palestinian state a year ago, and today I would again like to urge other countries to make progress in this recognition", explained the president, who defined the next international conference to be held in June in New York as "an historic opportunity" to move towards this goal.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Villar

Pedro Sánchez stressed that another of Spain's priorities is to strengthen Euro-Arab and Islamic dialogue for the resolution of the conflict, and in this regard he highlighted the upcoming ministerial meeting of the Madrid Group with like-minded countries in favour of a Palestinian state, which will take place in the Spanish capital, as a "testimony of our commitment to move forward together towards peace".

The President of the Government concluded his speech by appealing for understanding, progress and common values in the face of conflict: "Spain will continue to support multilateralism, and you will find in our country an ally to strengthen and improve the multilateral system. Only in this way can we bring lasting peace to the Middle East, leading to a new era of shared prosperity".

Bilateral meetings

During his stay in Baghdad, the president had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with several of the leaders who took part in the summit. First, he met with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, whom he thanked for the invitation to take part in the work of the Arab League and with whom he emphasised the excellent state of bilateral relations.

He then held a meeting with the President of Palestine, Mahmud Abbas, to whom he expressed Spain's solidarity in the face of the situation of violence and the urgent humanitarian crisis experienced by the Palestinian population, and with whom he analysed the next steps to be taken in relation to the draft resolution before the UN General Assembly.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, speaks with the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Villar

He then held talks with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam, to whom he conveyed his support for the process of reform and reconstruction the country is undertaking. Last, he met with Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, with whom he discussed possible measures to promote stability in the region.

Non official translation