Spanish PM backs two-state solution to Palestine-Israel conflict respecting 1967 borders

Spain has officially recognized the state of Palestine on Tuesday, joining 140 other countries around the world that have already done so.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez announced the "historic" decision, which has "a single objective: to contribute to the achievement of peace between Israelis and Palestinians."

"Recognizing the state of Palestine is not only a matter of historical justice, it is a necessity to achieve peace," he said during a televised speech ahead of the council of ministers approving the recognition, coordinated with the governments of Ireland and Norway.

"It is the only way to move towards a solution of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel," he added.

"The State of Palestine must be viable with the West Bank and Gaza connected by a corridor and with East Jerusalem as its capital, and must be unified under the legitimate government of the Palestinian National Authority," he said.

Although the Spanish government is not responsible for "defining the borders" of other countries, the cabinet's position is "aligned with the UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and with the position of the European Union," Sánchez said.

"Therefore, we won't recognize any change in the 1967 lines other than those agreed to by the parties," he added.

For the executive, Palestine must find "its adequate place in the international community," which is why they will "continue to support efforts to strengthen Palestine's presence in international organizations."

Spain' values Israel

"The recognition of Palestine is not against anyone, least of all Israel, a friendly nation that spends values and holds in high regard and with whom we aim to foster the strongest possible relationship," the Spanish PM said after much criticism from the country in recent days with tensions mounting.

"Furthermore, this decision reflects our absolute rejection of Hamas, a terrorist organization that is against the two-state solution," Sánchez added.

One of the main challenges after Spain's recognition of the State of Palestine is to "urgently put an end to the ongoing unprecedented crisis in Gaza," which is why Sánchez called, once again, for a "permanent ceasefire, for the entry of humanitarian aid, and the immediate release of all the Israeli hostages held by Hamas."

The Spanish cabinet, as Sánchez announced, "will support the Palestine National Authority in the reform process" as they are Spain's partner for "peace."

One of the last challenges will be to "continue to foster cooperation with our Arab partners who are working and committed towards peace and prosperity in the region," Sánchez concluded.

Catalan government calls for Israel to stop 'indiscriminate killing'

The Catalan government has called for Israel to stop the "indiscriminate killing" in Gaza and Rafah and considers the situation "barbaric," as the acting government spokesperson, Patrícia Plaja, said after the weekly cabinet meeting.

Plaja, however, avoided using the term "genocide" as "it is not part of the government to determine if it is a genocide or not," she said.

Despite the cabinet saying that the Israeli government is attacking Palestinians, the cabinet will continue to operate its Catalonia Trade & Investment office in Tel Aviv, as "it does not have any other use" than the one of helping those Catalans in the city.

People's Party: mere smokescreen

Meanwhile, the Spanish conservative People's Party considered the announcement a mere smokescreen to not "talk about the amnesty law [for those Catalan pro-independence figures related to the independence referendums] 48 hours before the final vote takes place in Congress," a statement reads.

The PP also says that Sánchez does not have the "support of other countries, nor from half of his coalition government," as the junior partner's leader, Yolanda Díaz, from left-wing Sumar, proposed different borders than the ones backed by the Spanish PM on Tuesday.

"We hope that no one has had to wake up very early to listen to the Spanish PM," the text reads about the appearance time, which was scheduled at 8:30 am. "He did not say anything that could not have been said during the weekly post cabinet meeting press conference," they added.

The People's Party considers that Sánchez is just trying to "steal the votes of his parliamentary partners" and that "Spaniards' needs continue to not be of his interest."

Barcelona supports Sánchez

Jaume Collboni, mayor of Barcelona, has expressed the council's support for the recognition of the state of Palestine by the Spanish government. 

Actions taken until this moment were not enough to end the conflict and must go "one step further", he said. 

At the same time, he celebrated the decision of the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to organize the International Peace Conference in Spain and he offered "help and experience" of Barcelona that has the headquarters of the Mediterranean Union and was the capital of the Mediterranean Sea. 

"Israel's disappearance"

A few minutes after Sánchez's speech, Israel's foreign affairs minister, Israel Katz, criticized the announcement and said that the Spanish PM is "complicit of inciting the murder of the Jewish people and of promoting war crimes," he wrote in a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Katz also addressed the Spanish Vice President Yolanda Díaz and compared her with Hamas' and Iran's leaders as they want "the disappearance of Israel." He also wrote that because Sánchez does not sack Díaz, he is also "complicit" with Hamas' crimes.