Spain's Sanchez: Gaza Peace Must Not Bring Atrocity Impunity

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has asserted that achieving peace in Gaza must not circumvent accountability for atrocities committed during the conflict, emphasizing that perpetrators of genocide must face judicial consequences. During a Cadena SER radio interview Tuesday, Sánchez stated "Peace cannot mean forgetting; it cannot mean impunity," while specifically noting "Those who were key actors in the genocide perpetrated in Gaza must answer to justice," establishing Spain's position on post-conflict justice mechanisms.

The Spanish leader referenced his United Nations experience during the Kosovo War, which subsequently produced war crimes convictions, as establishing important precedents for accountability following armed conflict. Sanchez characterized the current situation as containing "a lot of open questions" while acknowledging "We have a great deal of work ahead." He positioned Spain and Europe as playing crucial roles not only in reconstruction efforts but also in shaping a two-state solution and establishing peace grounded in international legal frameworks, while not excluding potential Spanish troop deployment to Gaza as peacekeeping forces.

Prime Minister Sanchez confirmed Madrid's intention to maintain its arms embargo against Israel "until the ceasefire is consolidated and the process moves definitively towards peace." The Spanish embargo represents one of several European restrictions on weapons transfers to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Sánchez characterized the current moment as providing "a window of opportunity for frank dialogue between Israel and Palestine and the recognition of two states" while noting the significance that "the violence has ended" following the ceasefire implementation.

The Spanish prime minister's statements follow his Monday participation in the Gaza ceasefire signing ceremony in Egypt, where he joined more than twenty world leaders formalizing the truce agreement. Spain's consistent positioning regarding the Gaza conflict has included early calls for ceasefire, humanitarian corridor establishment, and conditional engagement with reconstruction efforts tied to political resolution progress and accountability mechanisms for conflict-related violations.