Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a press conference in Beijing on April . AFP
The June 2000 association agreement -- a treaty that sets a framework for cooperation -- includes a clause requiring respect for human rights.
"On Tuesday, Spain's government will present a proposal to the EU that the European Union break off its association agreement with Israel", which has been in place since June 2000, Sanchez told a political rally in Andalusia.
He said Israel "violates international law" and therefore "cannot be a partner of the European Union ... it's as simple as that".
Spain, Ireland and Slovenia -- all countries that have expressed solidarity with Palestine -- sent a letter to the European Commission on Friday calling for the accord with Israel to be discussed at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers.
Spain and Ireland first called for a review in 2024 over Israel's genocidal war in the Gaza Strip.
A vocal critic of Israel under Sánchez, Spain has condemned Israel for committing genocide against Palestinians, emerged as a leading advocate for Palestinian statehood, and actively opposed the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Following Spain’s formal recognition of Palestinian statehood in May 2024, the government enacted a permanent arms embargo and consistently accused Israel of violating international law in Gaza. Tensions peaked in early 2026 when Spain, in opposition to the US-Israeli war on Iran, blocked the use of its military bases for strikes and closed its airspace to related operations.
Most recently, Sánchez escalated his condemnation during a visit to Beijing, labeling Israel "the only country violating international law in the Middle East" and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to inflict the same destruction on Lebanon as seen in Gaza.
This friction culminated in the permanent withdrawal of diplomatic envoys. While Israel recalled its ambassador in 2024, Spain formalized the rupture last month, on 11 March, by officially terminating its own ambassador’s mandate in Tel Aviv.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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