The European response to the conflict in Gaza has been a “failure” that threatens to undermine Europe’s global credibility, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated in an interview with The Guardian, reports 24brussels.
Ahead of his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Sánchez characterized the conflict as “perhaps one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century.” As the first European leader to accuse Israel of genocide in Gaza, he emphasized the urgency of a unified EU stance.
Sánchez noted that divisions within the EU regarding how to influence Israel are evident. “But in my opinion, it’s not acceptable and we can’t last longer if we want to increase our credibility when it comes to other crises, such as the one we face in Ukraine,” he remarked.
Dismantling International Order
He further criticized the United States under Donald Trump for dismantling the international order established post-World War II. He argued that the American withdrawal from pivotal institutions, such as the World Health Organization, presents an opportunity for Europe to showcase stronger global leadership.
“The most shocking reality that we’re facing is that the principal architect of the international order – which is the US after the Second World War – is now weakening this international order, and that’s something that’s not going to be positive for US society or for the rest of the world, especially western countries,” he added.
“That is why I think there’s an opportunity for the European Union and also for the UK.”
