Break with Israel

If Israel is a genocidal country, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated, Spain should sever diplomatic relations with it. This could draw in other European countries and put an end to the bombing of Gaza. But limiting ourselves to suspending trade transactions or recognizing the Palestinian state is merely a half-hearted gesture.

Naturally, this would have significant economic consequences. According to government circles, it would mean putting many workers on the dole and even leaving the Spanish defense sector in a very difficult situation. According to some experts, virtually all arms companies have contracts with the country headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is difficult to explain why Russia's presence at any event is boycotted but not Israel's.

From a moral standpoint, condemnations of countries that violate fundamental rights for economic or financial reasons cannot be downplayed. Yet this is what is being done. Banning trade with Israel or the buying and selling of weapons does not mean that the Civil Guard will run out of ammunition for their rifles. To prevent this, a third country is used to conduct transactions, and the same can be said for any type of merchandise.

In fact, this is what is being done to Russia. Spain has never bought so much gas or grain from Vladimir Putin as it does now, despite the sanctions. On the one hand, we arm Ukraine, and on the other, we provide the financial resources necessary for the Russians to buy weapons. This is simply hypocrisy.

The same is happening in Venezuela. Maduro won the elections fraudulently, but instead of imposing economic sanctions until democratic legality is restored, he has decided to take the back door. In the words of former President Zapatero, more is achieved by maintaining good relations than by breaking them. This relativism when economic interests are involved is ethically unacceptable.

It's hard to explain why Russia's presence at any cultural or sporting event is boycotted, while Israel is allowed to participate in any sporting event, or even the Eurovision Song Contest.

We must recognize Sánchez, who has at least been consistent in this regard by requesting expulsion from Eurovision while the bombing of Gaza continues, although he could have done so before the festival. What is striking is his statement that he will not trade with any genocidal country. In other words, he will continue to engage with other countries, even if they do not respect human rights. Given this situation, it is legitimate for the opposition to think this is yet another trick to divert public attention from accusations of corruption within his cabinet. It is hard to believe that Sánchez has embarrassed the rest of Europe and become the moral leader of the EU.