Foreign ministers from 43 Union for Mediterranean states gathered in Barcelona to address regional challenges. European Union’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell condemned Israeli attacks on UNIFIL in Lebanon, calling for sanctions against those responsible. Israel defended its actions as necessary for self-defense against Iran-backed militants.
Additionally, Borrell reiterated his intention to ask the European Union to establish sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares renewed the country’s commitment to UNRWA, an organization supporting Palestinian refugees, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law.
Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi stressed the necessity of preventing violations of international humanitarian law, noting the European roots of such laws. Nasser Kamel, the secretary general of the UfM, highlighted the importance of a two-state solution in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial service for fallen soldiers and civilians killed in a recent Hamas attack. Netanyahu expressed determination to return all hostages, both living and dead, back to Israel.
The meeting in Barcelona underscored the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Mediterranean region, with tensions between Israel and its neighbors as a focal point of discussions. The call for sanctions against Israeli actions reflects the diplomatic challenges facing the Union for the Mediterranean member states in addressing regional conflicts and upholding international law.
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