Abbas y Sánchez solicitan una nueva cumbre de paz en Madrid para Israel y Palestina

Sánchez alerta de un nuevo riesgo de escalada tras los acontecimientos en Líbano y pide «aislamiento»

El presidente de Palestina, Mahmud Abbas, pidió este jueves, junto al primer ministro, Pedro Sánchez, que se celebre en Madrid una segunda cumbre de paz entre Israel y Palestina, en una declaración de ambos líderes en el Palacio de La Moncloa.

Abbas, en su primera visita oficial a España desde que se formalizó el reconocimiento de Palestina como Estado por parte del Ejecutivo de Sánchez, le agradeció este paso y expresó su apoyo a la organización de una segunda conferencia de paz en Madrid después de 1991, que desembocó en los Acuerdos de Oslo.

During the private meeting held by both leaders, Abbas conveyed this request to Sánchez, who took up the challenge and said it would be an honor and that he would do everything possible for it to be held in the Spanish capital, as reported by Moncloa sources present at the meeting.

Following the recent events in Lebanon, with the explosions of thousands of «seekers» and communication devices of Hezbollah members that left dozens dead and thousands injured, Sánchez warned that the risk of escalation had once again increased, so together with Abbas they issued «a new and firm call for restraint, de-escalation, and peaceful coexistence among countries, ultimately for peace.»

Therefore, he considers it necessary for both parties to agree to a ceasefire «in accordance with the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735» to end the war, ensure humanitarian assistance to the civilian population, and allow the release of all hostages, as indicated by Sánchez, insisting that this resolution is «binding.»

The sources cited indicate that in the meeting prior to the institutional declaration, Sánchez and Abbas did not delve deeply into the recent events in Lebanon, although the Palestinian leader made a mention of the «technological war» being fought in Lebanon. Both leaders stressed that they are opposed to conflict and seek peace and stability in the Middle East.

In this regard, the Palestinian leader expressed that Hamas must release all hostages captured in the October 7 attack and specified that his only weapons are words and diplomacy, and with these tools he will attend the United Nations General Assembly that was taking place the following week in New York (United States) where he aspires to be a full member.

In the same vein, Abbas conveyed to Sánchez that resolving the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis is «the key» to achieving stability throughout the region and specified that Arab countries will not recognize Israel until Tel Aviv does the same with Palestine.

In his public intervention, the Palestinian leader thanked Sánchez -whom he called a friend- and the Spanish people -«it seems that it is a just cause after much repression for over 70 years,» he noted-.

He also acknowledged his efforts in favor of Palestine in the European Union and «in all international spheres» when he spoke about the implementation of the two-state resolution both from the United Nations and the International Court of Justice and thus ends with the existence of «settler occupation» and that the Palestinian people exercise their «right to live in their state with East Jerusalem as their capital.»

SÁNCHEZ WARNED ABOUT «ILLEGAL» ISRAELI OCCUPATION.

Beyond calling for a ceasefire, Sánchez called for respect for international law «whose cornerstone is the International Court of Justice, as the supreme court with the capacity and legitimacy to interpret the rules,» as indicated.

Thus, he emphasized that he gives «great relevance to the advisory opinion issued on July 19 by the International Court of Justice, which establishes the illegality of the Israeli occupation of the occupied territories,» he noted.

In this regard, he recalled that the interim measures established by the ICJ to demand the cessation of Israel’s military offensive are mandatory and must be respected by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. «From Spain, we fully support the work of the International Court of Justice,» he pointed out.

In the same vein, Sánchez celebrated that the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution on Wednesday regarding the advisory opinion of the ICJ «demanding that the Government of Israel end its illegal presence in both Gaza and the West Bank,» he added.

SPAIN’S RECOGNITION

Sánchez pointed out that this is the first visit of the head of state to Palestine since Spain recognized it as a full-fledged state within the international community. «I give you the warmest welcome,» he greeted.

Thus, he affirmed that Spain recognized Palestine «because it is right, because it exists and has every right to have its own state, which coexists with the State of Israel in peace and security,» in his opinion, the only way to advance in a solution that guarantees stability for the entire region.

«And with that goal, and to provide a political perspective that restores hope to the Palestinian people, we know that the Palestinian National Authority needs all our support. And hence the relevance of this meeting, Mr. President, because it allowed us to coordinate our future actions as states that are part of the international community,» he later indicated.

Sánchez is convinced that there will be more countries that will join in recognizing Palestine as a state, and he says that for this to happen, the ministerial meeting on September 26, alongside the United Nations General Assembly, will be essential.

«We know that coordination and unity among regional and international partners are and will be more necessary than ever to face this challenge. President Abbas knows that Palestine can always count on the support of the Spanish government for this to happen,» he concluded.