Arab countries gather in Madrid: Let the covenant be suspended with Israel!

Some of Israel's early allies have added their voices to increasing international pressure, as it expanded military operations against Hamas' rulers in Gaza, whose attack on Israel in 2023 caused devastating conflict. An aid blockade that lasted nearly three months has exacerbated food, water, fuel and medicine shortages on Palestinian territory, boosting fear of hunger.

Relief organisations say the limited supplies Israel has recently allowed to enter are much less than needs. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters prior to the opening of the meeting that the talks were aimed at halting the <x0-human war” and the meaningless “” of Israel in Gaza.

humanitarian aid must enter Gaza “relatively, unconditionally and with no restrictions, and not controlled by Israel”, he added, describing the territory as the “plaglaja opened to humanity”. Representatives from European countries, including France, Britain, Germany and Italy, joined the envoys from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation. Norway, Iceland, Ireland and Slovenia, which, like Spain have already recognised the Palestinian state, also participated with Brazil. After the European Union decided this week to review its co-operation agreement with Israel, Albares told reporters that Spain would seek its immediate “results”.

Spain would also call on partners to impose an arms embargo on Israel and “not to exclude any” individual sanctions against those “who want to permanently destroy the solution with two states”, he added. /Periscope/