Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives to attend the European Council in Brussels on June 26, 2025. AFP
The comments represent the strongest condemnation to date by the Socialist leader, an outspoken critic of the Israeli war on Gaza.
Speaking to reporters before an EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez mentioned a recent human rights report by the bloc's diplomatic service which, he said, addressed "the catastrophic situation of genocide unfolding in Gaza".
The report published last week found "indications" that Israel was breaching its human rights obligations under the deal, which forms the basis for trade ties.
The text cited Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian territory, the high number of civilian casualties, attacks on journalists and the massive displacement and destruction caused by the war.
Sanchez said it was "more than obvious" that Israel was violating its obligations and that the bloc should suspend the cooperation deal "immediately".
"It makes no sense" that the bloc has imposed 18 rounds of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine but, "in a double standard, is not even capable of suspending an association deal", he added.
Suspending the EU-Israel accord outright would require unanimity among member states, something diplomats see as virtually impossible due to divisions within the bloc.
Since the war started on October 7, 2023, Israel has killed at least 56,156 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children.
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