Spanish PM blames Israeli counterpart for rising instability, future terror in region

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that his policies are exacerbating instability in the Middle East and laying the groundwork for future terrorism.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Sánchez reaffirmed Spain’s support for Israel while voicing deep concern over the direction of Netanyahu’s leadership amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

“The Spanish society, the Spanish government and myself, we are committed with Israel. We want the best future for Israel,” Sánchez stated.

However, the prime minister warned that Netanyahu's current actions are counterproductive and risk long-term consequences for the entire region.

“But what Prime Minister Netanyahu is doing is the opposite, is creating more unstable Middle East political situation. It is creating the seeds for potential terrorism in the future in the Middle East, and also in that part of the Middle East.”

He added that such instability not only threatens local societies but also has direct geopolitical implications for Europe — particularly for countries along the Mediterranean.

“And this is something that is not acceptable for the region, for its society, and also for us. You know, we belong to Mediterranean countries, Spain, with many others. And the situation that we are facing for the next decades is a Middle East more unstable. And this is something that, of course, geopolitically affects Spain and the southern flank of Europe.”

Sánchez also called on the European Union to play a more proactive and balanced role in addressing the conflict, drawing a parallel to the bloc's unified response to the war in Ukraine.

“So that is why I am asking Europeans to be more engaged and committed with the situation, as well as we do when it comes to Ukraine,” he urged.

By Vafa Guliyeva