Pedro Sanchez has announced that Spain will formally ask the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel, in a major diplomatic move set to be presented in Brussels this Tuesday.

The Spanish prime minister revealed the plan during a pre-election rally in Gibraleon (Huelva), where he appeared alongside Andalucia’s PSOE candidate Maria Jesus Montero.

Sanchez insisted the proposal is not aimed at the Israeli people, describing them as ‘a friendly nation,’ but said the actions of the Israeli government had crossed a line.

It follows Israel’s brutal bombardment of southern Lebanon earlier this month that killed countless civilians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed they were targeting Hezbollah sites, but the dropping of 100 bombs in 90 seconds sparked outcry among western leaders, including Sanchez.

Speaking in Sunday, he told supporters Spain would push the EU to act against any country ‘that violates international law and, therefore, the principles and values of the European Union.’

The move marks one of the strongest positions taken by Spain on the conflict to date and ramps up pressure on Brussels to reconsider its relationship with Israel.

Sanchez framed the proposal as a matter of principle rather than ideology, arguing it is ‘not about left or right,’ while calling for an end to the war in the Middle East and urging leaders to ‘rein in’ Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He warned the conflict is having far-reaching consequences beyond the region, citing ‘thousands of lives lost, millions displaced and billions in economic damage’ impacting ordinary citizens.

In a post on X he said: ‘The time has come for the EU to break its Association Agreement with Israel.

‘We have nothing against the people of Israel; quite the contrary.

‘But a Government that violates international law and, therefore, the principles and values of the EU cannot be our partner. NO TO WAR.’