Spanish PM condemns ‘routine massacres’ in Ukraine, Middle East

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly condemned the ongoing violence in Ukraine and the Middle East, referring to the "routine massacres" taking place in both regions.

Speaking at an award ceremony hosted by La Vanguardia newspaper on Monday, Sánchez stressed the urgent need for the international community to speak out against these atrocities and uphold international law.

“If the international community remains silent, we will raise our voices even more to defend international law and peace,” Sánchez declared during his speech, signaling Spain’s commitment to defending democratic values globally.

He emphasized that "those who hate democracy oppress it everywhere," and that defending democracy requires collective action against forces that undermine it.

Sánchez's comments come amid escalating violence in the Middle East and ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Israeli military continues its operations in Gaza despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire after October 7, 2023, attack.

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 41,600, with most casualties being women and children, according to local reports. On the Israeli side, the war has claimed over 1,100 lives.

Meanwhile, since September 23, 2024, Israel has launched a series of airstrikes across Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah targets.

These strikes have killed over 1,000 people, including several Hezbollah leaders, such as Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, and injured nearly 3,000.

The situation has further heightened fears that the conflict in Gaza could spill over into a broader regional war. On Monday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that Israeli airstrikes over the previous 24 hours had claimed 95 lives, adding to the growing casualty list in Lebanon.

Spain, under Sánchez's leadership, is one of the European nations that has officially recognized the State of Palestine, a move aimed at supporting peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Sánchez’s call for global intervention reflects growing frustration with the lack of diplomatic progress in the Middle East and Ukraine, and his speech was a direct appeal for the international community to take a stronger stance against the violence in both regions.

Sánchez's speech also touched on the broader challenges facing global democracy, stating that “enemies of democracy do not respect any rules."

He described a relentless assault of lies and misinformation being used to weaken democratic institutions worldwide. His words echoed Spain’s broader commitment to supporting democratic governance and upholding international law as part of its foreign policy.

As violence in the Middle East continues to claim lives, with no immediate end in sight, the international community remains divided on how to address the escalating crises. Israel's airstrikes in Lebanon, along with its military operations in Gaza, have drawn widespread condemnation, while the United Nations and other international bodies have called for cease-fires and peace negotiations to prevent further escalation.

Sánchez’s remarks underscore the urgency of these conflicts and the need for a global response. He urged the world to act swiftly, warning that continued inaction would only embolden the forces of oppression and violence.

"In the face of this challenge, we must step forward and defend democracy," he concluded, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to advocating for peace and the protection of human rights on the global stage.

Spanish Prime Minister Condemns ‘Routine Massacres’ in Ukraine, Middle East, Calls for Global Action

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has strongly condemned the ongoing violence in Ukraine and the Middle East, labeling the widespread bloodshed in both regions as "routine massacres." During an address at an award ceremony hosted by La Vanguardia newspaper on Monday, Sánchez emphasized the urgent need for the international community to break its silence and take action to uphold international law and prevent further atrocities.

“If the international community remains silent, we will raise our voices even more to defend international law and peace,” Sánchez declared, calling on world leaders to take a stronger stand against violence and aggression. He emphasized that "those who hate democracy oppress it everywhere," stressing that defending democratic values requires a global effort to combat authoritarianism and violence.

The prime minister’s remarks come as violence escalates in the Middle East and the conflict in Ukraine grinds on. In the Gaza Strip, Israel continues its military operations despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire after Hamas' cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. Over 41,600 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to local reports. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed more than 1,100 lives, primarily due to Hamas' initial attack.

In neighboring Lebanon, Israel has also escalated its military campaign against Hezbollah. Since September 23, 2024, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah positions, killing over 1,000 people, including high-ranking leaders such as Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. The Lebanese Ministry of Health recently reported that Israeli airstrikes had claimed 95 lives in just 24 hours. The growing death toll in Lebanon, coupled with fears of a broader regional war, has sparked international concern.

Against this backdrop, Spain has been one of the few European nations to officially recognize the State of Palestine as part of efforts to support peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Sánchez’s speech underscored his country’s commitment to advocating for peace, stressing the need for collective action to end the violence. His remarks were a call for the international community to intervene before the conflict spreads further.

Meanwhile, China has positioned itself as a potential peacemaker in the Middle East and Ukraine, pushing for a diplomatic solution to both conflicts. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly in late September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "The question of Palestine is the biggest wound to human conscience," Wang declared, calling for justice and condemning the continued violence in the region.

China’s diplomatic involvement in global conflicts has grown in recent years. In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping brokered a historic agreement to restore diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, signaling Beijing’s intent to act as a mediator in the Middle East. China has also hosted talks between Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, seeking to promote unity and a peaceful resolution.

In addition to its Middle East efforts, China has sought to play a similar role in the Ukraine conflict. Beijing has proposed peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, though Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has expressed skepticism about China’s neutrality, questioning its motives.

Despite these doubts, China remains committed to its peace plan, with Wang Yi stating that "peace is the most precious thing in our world today" and that Beijing would continue its mediation efforts.

Sánchez’s call for global action echoes the sentiments expressed by other leaders, including China, who have urged for a peaceful resolution to conflicts that threaten global stability.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East and Ukraine, the international community faces mounting pressure to find a diplomatic solution before these crises further destabilize the regionn.