Spanish PM Sanchez calls for Ukraine-like NATO unity over Gaza
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks at a NATO summit, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2024. (AA Photo)


Spain's leftist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has demanded that NATO show the same level of "unity and consistency" on Gaza as it did with Ukraine.

Speaking at a NATO summit in Washington, Sanchez said: "We cannot be accused of applying double standards that would weaken our support for Ukraine. On the contrary, we demand the same unity and consistency for Gaza as we do in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine,"

"It is important for our citizens to understand that we have a consistent political stance and that there are no double standards," he told fellow NATO heads of state, according to the Spanish media.

"If we're telling our people that we support Ukraine because we defend international law, we must do the same for Gaza. If we demand respect for international law in Ukraine, we must demand it in Gaza as well."

Sanchez is attending NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit, which is set to conclude later Thursday.

With Israel accused of war crimes in Gaza at international courts, as well as by many countries and global watchdogs, Western countries have been accused of hypocrisy in continuing to support Israel’s offensive while condemning Russia’s alleged atrocities in Ukraine.

Israel's nine-month offensive has taken over 38,000 lives while injuring at least 88,000 others while its tight blockade on food, water and aid shipments has resulted in famine conditions throughout Gaza, according to the U.N. and other international observers.

Israel has also attacked schools, hospitals, and houses of worship, all civilian facilities off limits to attacks under the laws of war.