Spain asked to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel

Spain's acting social rights minister on Wednesday urged the government to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel due to its "planned genocide" of the Palestinian people.

Ione Belarra's remarks came ahead of a high-level meeting in Madrid as part of Spain's EU presidency.

"Today, I have asked our partner (in the government), the Socialist Party (PSOE), that we take ourselves more seriously in the fight against this planned genocide, which is being carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people. To do this, I believe that we should urgently suspend diplomatic relations with the state of Israel," Belarra told reporters.

"In addition, we should promote a debate at the European level in order to apply exemplary economic sanctions against those politically responsible for this genocide," she added.

Emphasizing that many sanctions have been levied on Russia over the Ukraine war, she said: "I think we're taking too long to apply these against Israel, (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, and also his defense minister and the rest of the people who are politically responsible who have decided to apply a collective punishment to the Palestinians."

"I insist that the collective punishment that is being undertaken, including massive bombing campaigns on the civilian population, water cuts, electricity cuts, is a clear violation of international humanitarian law."

She also urged an arms embargo, saying: "We also need an immediate arms embargo. Europe can and must act with autonomy and seek peace."

The right-wing Popular Party criticized Bellora's remarks, accusing her of antisemitism.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" to ease the "epic human suffering."

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.