Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged that his government would officially recognize the Palestinian state before the end of the current legislative term. He said at a festival organized by the Socialist Party in the Basque city of Bilbao on Saturday that this step stems from a moral conviction, because he believes that the Palestinian cause is just, and because this is “the only way to put the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the path of security and peace.”

The Spanish Parliament had unanimously approved, in 2014, under the right-wing Popular Party government, a statement urging “the recognition of the Palestinian state unilaterally and without preconditions.” However, that statement was not subsequently accompanied by an executive step from the government. Senior Spanish sources confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the government is determined this time to implement the step before the end of its term.

Sánchez said to the fans of his party, which organized pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the past months: “I will propose to the Senate and the House of Representatives, in this legislative mandate, that Spain recognize the Palestinian state,” while applause thundered in the festival hall. Official sources reported that the Spanish government together will take this decision, as it is qualified to do so according to the legislative decree issued in 2014. They added that the Prime Minister will appear before Parliament to present, explain and discuss his proposal, but without putting it to a vote.

Sánchez had announced during his visit to Rafah last November that he would seek to reach an agreement with member countries of the European Union to jointly recognize the Palestinian state, and that if such an agreement could not be reached, he would make his decision. solo. Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the Sanchez government has conducted extensive diplomatic contacts in the past weeks with Belgium, Ireland, and Luxembourg regarding this step, and it is not unlikely that these countries will soon announce similar steps.

It should be noted that the statements made by Sanchez during his visit last year, accompanied by the Prime Minister of Belgium, to Israel and the Gaza Strip after Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” and the war launched by Israel, caused an unprecedented political crisis between Madrid and Tel Aviv, and led to Summoning ambassadors included tough positions in which Israel accused the Spanish Prime Minister of supporting terrorism. Sanchez's partners in the government from the Somar party had demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu be referred to the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people, and called for the immediate recognition of the Palestinian state.