Portrait of Pedro Sánchez
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Pedro Sánchez on Palestine

Vocal advocate for two-state solution (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Pedro Sánchez strongly advocates for a just two-state solution and has taken concrete steps to criticize Israel's actions in Gaza.

Key Points

  • Reaffirmed Spain's commitment to Palestine and the two-state solution during a visit with the Palestinian President on 2025-12-10.

  • Spain was among the first European nations to formally recognize a State of Palestine in 2024.

  • He publicly defended Spain's stance by stating that 'Time proved us right' regarding international support for their position.

Summary

Pedro Sánchez maintains a strongly supportive position towards the Palestinian cause, consistently advocating for a two-state solution based on international law and justice. He has expressed profound solidarity with the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for a genuine ceasefire, reparations, and accountability for those responsible for grave violations. His government was among the first in Europe to formally recognize the State of Palestine in 2024 and has taken diplomatic actions, such as cancelling specific arms contracts with Israel, to apply pressure.

This stance, while placing Spain as an outlier among some Western peers, is framed by the Prime Minister as reflecting core Spanish foreign policy principles of multilateralism and peace. His firm rhetoric has sometimes contrasted with his actual implementation of measures, leading to domestic criticism that his actions fall short of his powerful statements. Nevertheless, he suggests that over time, international opinion has aligned with Spain's principled position on the conflict.

Key Quotes

“This is how humanity's great disasters start … The world cannot solve its problems with conflicts and bombs.”

“Spain will always walk hand in hand with Palestine. A friendly country. A brotherly country”

“Time proved us right,”

Frequently Asked Questions

Pedro Sánchez holds a strong, supportive position for the Palestinian cause, centering his policy on achieving a just two-state solution based on international law. He advocates for a genuine ceasefire in Gaza and for holding responsible parties accountable for the humanitarian tragedy there.

While his core advocacy for a two-state solution appears consistent, his government's actions have evolved, particularly in response to the conflict in Gaza. Spain was among the first EU members to formally recognize Palestinian statehood in 2024, a significant move that marks a change in Spain's concrete engagement.

The Prime Minister has lamented the scale of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, noting infrastructure destruction and the pain of families who have lost loved ones. He stressed the need to rebuild hope based on justice and reparations for the victims.