Spain applies to join South Africa’s Gaza genocide case against Israel

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares defended the move and said, “We made this decision in light of the continuation of the military operation in Gaza.”

“We also observe with enormous concern the regional extension of the conflict,” he said in a news conference.

Spain took the decision to not only to “let peace return to Gaza and the Middle East” but also due to its commitment to international law, Albares said.

“Our sole goal is to put an end to the war and to advance on the road of applying the two-state solution,” Albares said, a week after Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, recognised the state of Palestine.

The move by the three countries sparked Israeli fury, which accused them of “rewarding terrorism” and withdrew its ambassadors.

South Africa brought its case against Israel in January, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October, has surpassed 36,500, according to health officials in the besieged and bombarded territory.

Israel launched the assault after the Palestinian group Hamas led an attack on southern communities near Gaza, killing about 1,140 Israelis, according to Israeli tallies.