Madrid: In a major diplomatic push for peace in the Middle East, Spain hosted high-level talks on Sunday with representatives from 20 European and Arab nations, aiming to pressure Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza and reignite momentum toward a two-state solution.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares opened the discussions by condemning Israel’s ongoing offensive, calling it an “unjust, cruel, and inhumane war.” He emphasized the urgent need to lift the blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza and stressed the importance of pursuing lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“This war is an open wound in humanity, claiming lives every day,” Albares told reporters. “Silence only makes us complicit in this massacre.”
The talks were held under the umbrella of the Madrid Group, or G5+, a coalition of European and Arab nations advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Albares underscored the group’s support for both nations’ right to security and peace, but pushed for recognition of Palestinian statehood as a crucial step forward.
“Spain is proposing a strong international movement to recognize the State of Palestine—not as a gesture against Israel, but as a commitment to the two-state solution,” Albares said.
He further called on the European Union to reconsider its association agreement with Israel should the offensive in Gaza continue, criticizing the months-long aid blockade that has led to growing fears of famine in the enclave.
This was the fifth gathering of the G5+ diplomats, and it comes just weeks before a United Nations conference on the two-state solution set to take place in New York in mid-June, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa expressed hope that the United States would take a more active role in the peace process. “We welcome their efforts towards a ceasefire in Gaza and look forward to more positive engagement,” he said, noting the vital influence the U.S. holds in the region.
