Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged the United Nations to admit Palestine as a full member state during a French-led summit in New York on September 22. He emphasized that the process must be completed soon and on equal footing with other states.
Sanchez described the summit as “only the beginning” and called for immediate measures to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, formally recognized Palestine in May, drawing sharp criticism from Israel.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the summit virtually, urging Hamas to surrender weapons and condemning civilian killings, including those by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks. The summit aimed to advance international recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to block Palestinian statehood, while far-right ministers support annexing the West Bank. The Biden administration also opposed the recognition, citing concerns that it rewards Hamas. The ongoing debate highlights divisions among global powers over Palestine’s international status.
