Spain applies for participation in genocide lawsuit
Spain recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state. Madrid broadens its sharp criticism of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. The government intends to join the South African genocide lawsuit against Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Spain became the first EU country to apply for accession to South Africa's genocide lawsuit against Israel before the International Criminal Court. The Spanish Foreign Ministry announced this on platform X and with the court. Spain, which had already recognized Palestine as a sovereign state, aims to contribute to the return of peace in the Gaza Strip and in the Middle East, wrote the Ministry.
"The goal is to end the war and to make progress in the implementation of the two-state solution, which is the only guarantee that Palestinians and Israelis can live together in peace and security," emphasized the Ministry in Madrid.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares had already announced this step at the beginning of June. It is about "a large-scale war that does not distinguish between civilian and military targets," Albares said then. "The risk of escalation is growing every day," he warned.
According to the court, Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Mexico, and "the State of Palestine" had already filed similar applications. Other countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and Chile had also announced their support for the South African lawsuit.
The UN Court has already ruled against Israel
Spain has been one of the sharpest critics of Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip in Europe for a long time. The left-wing Spanish government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had already suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. At the end of May, Spain, like Norway and Ireland, recognized Palestine as a state.
South Africa filed a lawsuit against Israel at the end of 2023 and accused the country of violating the Genocide Convention. The UN Court had ordered Israel to take protective measures to prevent genocide in an emergency decision. Israel is also required to allow more humanitarian aid for the people in the Gaza Strip. At the end of May, the International Criminal Court ordered Israel to immediately end the controversial military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel denies the genocide allegations. The country refers to its right to self-defense after terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups attacked the southern part of Israel on October 7 and killed around 1200 people. In addition, Hamas uses civilians as human shields. According to Palestinian reports, more than 37,700 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, of whom over 90% were civilians.
- Spain's decision to join South Africa's lawsuit against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICC) is a continuation of its strong criticism of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, following its recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state.
- The Spanish Foreign Ministry's announcement of joining the lawsuit highlights Spain's aim to contribute to peace in the Gaza Strip and the Middle East, aligning with the UN Court's ruling against Israel for not preventing genocide and allowing more humanitarian aid.
- Amidst the international support for South Africa's lawsuit, including Nicaragua, Columbia, Libya, Mexico, and "the State of Palestine," Spain's move is significant, considering that Israel denies the genocide allegations and claims its right to self-defense during the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
