Overview

• In a new interview, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez labeled Europe’s handling of the Gaza war a “failure,” called it one of the century’s darkest episodes, and pressed for suspending the EU–Israel strategic partnership with financial penalties.
• Sánchez is the first senior EU leader to accuse Israel of genocide and says more European countries are following Spain’s move to recognize Palestinian statehood.
• EU measures against Israel remain stalled by internal divisions, even as Belgium says it will recognize Palestine at the UN this month and the UK reiterates plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
• In London, Sánchez and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a deal to remove border checks and ease trade and travel in Gibraltar, a post‑Brexit agreement that still requires ratification.
• Sánchez criticized US policy under President Trump for weakening the rules-based order, rejected a NATO push for 5% defense spending as unaffordable for Spain, and defended migration as a driver of growth and social funding.