Pedro Sánchez has changed his position regarding the conflict in the Middle East. If just a few days ago the President of the Government refused to participate in meetings with other European leaders so as not to appear linked to any allied operation related to the war, this Wednesday he signed, together with the European Union and seven other countries, a joint statement that celebrates the ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran and that shows willingness to guarantee security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In recent weeks, Sánchez had declined to join meetings in which practically all European leaders participated. The purpose of these meetings was to design a mutual aid mechanism to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once the war was over, not during the conflict. Even so, La Moncloa preferred to remain on the sidelines so as not to be associated even with post-war planning of a defensive nature. Now, however, the Government has considered that this self-isolation began to run the risk of Spain being perceived by its partners as lacking in solidarity.
The statement that changes
The joint document, also signed by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council António Costa, and the leaders of France, Germany, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Denmark, celebrates the two-week truce reached between Washington and Tehran and thanks Pakistan for its facilitating role. But he goes further: he calls for moving “quickly towards a substantial negotiated solution” which, in his opinion, “will be crucial” to protect the Iranian civilian population and avoid “a serious global energy crisis.”
The signatories also show their “predisposition to guarantee navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”, a line that, a few days before, Spain had avoided signing publicly.
The Government’s explanation
Government sources maintain that their position has always been consistent and that the context last week was very different, given that the war was ongoing. With the ceasefire on the table, they consider that now is the time to redouble their joint efforts so that the truce leads to a definitive peace agreement.
In parallel with this approach to allies, Sánchez has maintained his most combative speech regarding Israel. In a message on social networks, the president has harshly attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for what he has described as Israel’s most intense attack against Lebanon since the beginning of the offensive. “Their contempt for life and International Law is intolerable,” he wrote, calling the action “criminal acts” and demanding that there be no “impunity.”
