Ruptly
"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in Huelva on Sunday that he will formally ask the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel, citing what he described as human rights violations by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. "This war, which is an immense mistake, it is not only costing thousands of human lives, but it is also costing millions of displaced people [...] and trillions - with a t - trillions of euros in economic losses affecting the pockets of the most ordinary people of our country," Sanchez said. "That is why I ask those who started this war today to stop this war and stop Netanyahu in his tracks," he urged. "This Tuesday, the Government of Spain will take to Europe the proposal that the European Union break its association agreement with Israel. We are going to do it." The European Union-Israel Association Agreement, in force since 2000, makes the EU Israel's largest trading partner. In recent months, Sanchez has pushed to suspend that agreement, arguing it cannot continue while Israel is conducting 'unlawful operations' in Lebanon and Palestine. Earlier in April, he urged EU leaders to act against what he called 'flagrant violations of international humanitarian law' and apply consistent standards in foreign policy. The decision was backed by countries including Ireland, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands. Madrid has imposed an arms embargo on Israel, restricted the transit of military-related cargo through its ports and airspace, and previously blocked US weapons shipments to Israel from passing through its bases. Public pressure has also grown, with a petition backed by more than a million people and statements from former officials calling for a review of EU ties with Israel. In response, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered diplomatic measures against Spain, accusing it of 'hostile actions' amid escalating regional tensions."
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