Spanish Minister Slams Israeli Onslaught in Gaza as 'Real Genocide'
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles described Israeli onslaught of civilians in Gaza as a "real genocide," following Spain's formal recognition of a Palestinian state, a move that has escalated tensions with Tel Aviv.
As Israel's occupying regime continues its genocidal war on the besieged territory, Robles made these remarks in an interview with TVE state television on Saturday, following Spain's decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, further straining relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv.
"We cannot ignore what is happening in Gaza, which is a real genocide," she stated, emphasizing that Madrid's recognition of Palestine was not intended as an act against Israel but rather as a step to "end violence” in the blockaded territory.
On Wednesday, Ireland, Norway, and Spain officially recognized the Palestinian state. In response, Israeli authorities ordered their ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to return immediately and indicated they would do the same for Spain.
Separately, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares demanded that Israel comply with Friday’s ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which called on the occupying regime to “immediately” halt its military assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
"The International Court of Justice's precautionary measures, including the cessation of Israel's offensive in Rafah, are mandatory. We demand its application," Albares said in a post on X.
He also called for the release of prisoners and access to humanitarian aid, stressing that “the suffering of Gazans and the violence must end."
Israel launched its aggressive war on Gaza on October 7 last year after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.
Since the start of the war, the Israeli regime has been accused of committing war crimes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 35,903 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring some 80,420 others.
The Tel Aviv regime has imposed a "complete siege" on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.
