Being Pedro Sanchez: Is Spain's anti-Israel prime minister on the wrong side of history?

The Jerusalem Post, an influential voice in Israel, views Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's recent statements and actions regarding Israel with deep concern and criticism. The article frames Sánchez's condemnation of Israel's actions, including labeling the detention of flotilla members as "kidnapping," as posturing that aligns him with Hamas and Iran. This perspective highlights the perceived hypocrisy and anti-Israel sentiment driving Sánchez's policies, such as the withdrawal of Spain's ambassador and attempts to block EU-Israel association agreements.

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We are living through the deepest crisis in the relationship between Spain and the Jewish people in 500 years.

From an Israeli viewpoint, Sánchez's stance represents a significant crisis in relations between Spain and the Jewish people, the most severe in 500 years. This is contrasted with historical positive gestures from Spain, like the normalization of relations in 1986 and reconciliation laws. The article emphasizes that Sánchez's actions, including forbidding the broadcast of Eurovision, are seen as an affront to Israel and its right to self-defense, particularly in the context of ongoing security threats.

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kidnapping

The piece underscores the disconnect between Sánchez's policies and the historical relationship between Spain and the Jewish community, as articulated by prominent Spanish Jewish figures. It suggests that Sánchez is on the "wrong side of history" by aligning with entities hostile to Israel and by undermining the credibility of international bodies like the EU in their defense of Ukraine. The article implicitly calls for a re-evaluation of Spain's current political direction and its impact on international relations and historical ties.

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illegally detained