Reacting to the repeated attacks on United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in Lebanon, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for a halt to arms sales to Israel. Sanchez stated that he would raise this call during the first international meeting.

Spain’s leftist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Vatican Head of State and spiritual leader of the Catholic world, Pope Francis, in Rome.

Following his meeting, Sanchez held a press conference where he commented on Israel’s attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

He described the attack as “an urgent need for the end of the cycle of violence, something that will be absolutely rejected and condemned.”

Stating that they will continue to work for peaceful diplomatic solutions in the Middle East in compliance with international law, Sanchez expressed that despite accusations from some opposition political parties in Spain, the Spanish government has not approved any arms or military equipment sales to Israel since October 8, 2023. Sanchez said he demanded an urgent halt to arms exports to Israel from the international community due to its violation of international humanitarian law by occupying Lebanon and expressed that he would bring this up at the first international meeting. The Prime Minister also emphasized that Israel urgently needs to declare a ceasefire due to its violation of international humanitarian law and occupation of Lebanon.

Furthermore, it was revealed that he primarily discussed conflicts in the Middle East and issues surrounding irregular migration within the Catholic Church, cases of child sexual abuse, and laws aimed at erasing traces of the Franco dictatorship in Spain with Pope Francis.

Stressing their desire for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, Sanchez stated, “Respecting international humanitarian law is Spain’s fundamental position. Of course, we strongly condemn any and all attacks that violate this international humanitarian law, whether in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, or as we have seen against Lebanon in recent days.”