MADRID: The Spanish defence minister said on Saturday that the conflict in Gaza is a "real genocide", as relations between Israel and Spain worsen following Madrid's decision to recognise a Palestinian state. Reuters couldn't immediately reach Israeli officials for comment on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.
Israel has strongly rejected accusations made against it by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it is committing a genocide against Palestinians, saying it is waging war on the Hamas militant group which unleashed an attack on Oct 7.
The remark by Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles in an interview with TVE state television echoed a comment by Spanish deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz who earlier this week also described the Gaza conflict as a genocide. "We cannot ignore what is happening in Gaza, which is a real genocide," Robles said. She also said Madrid's recognition of Palestine was not a move against Israel, adding that it was designed to help "end violence in Gaza".