On Saturday, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles described the war in Gaza as a “true genocide” in light of the deterioration of relations between Tel Aviv and Madrid after Madrid decided to recognise the Palestinian state.

Robles’ statements came during an interview with the official TVE television. This comment echoes what was said by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, who a few days ago described the war in Gaza as genocide.

We cannot ignore what is happening in Gaza, which is a real genocide,” Robles said during the interview, which also addressed the Russian military operation in Ukraine and conflicts in Africa.

She added that Madrid’s recognition of the State of Palestine is not a move against Israel, noting that it aims to help “end the violence in Gaza.”

She added, stressing, “This is not against anyone. This is not against the State of Israel. This is not against the Israelis whom we respect.” Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said in a post on the social networking site.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that if more countries recognised the Palestinian state, this would increase international pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

The leftist government in Madrid suspended all arms exports to Israel shortly after the Hamas attack on Israel and the start of military operations in Gaza. 

Robles’ statements came during an interview with the official TVE television. This comment echoes what was said by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, who a few days ago described the war in Gaza as genocide. 

She added that Madrid’s recognition of the State of Palestine is not a move against Israel, noting that it aims to help “end the violence in Gaza. She added, stressing, “This is not against anyone, this is not against the State of Israel, this is not against the Israelis whom we respect.

Spain, Ireland and Norway announced last week that they would recognise the Palestinian state on May 28, sparking an angry reaction from Israel, which said this amounted to a “reward for terrorism”. It recalled its ambassadors from the capitals of the three countries. 

The judges of the International Court of Justice, also called the World Court, the highest legal body affiliated with the United Nations, ordered Israel on Friday to immediately stop its military attack on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip in a historic emergency ruling in the case brought by South Africa, in which Israel is accused of committing.

South Africa accused Israel of not fulfilling its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that if more countries recognised the Palestinian state, this would increase international pressure for a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).