The Spanish government has pledged at least €75 million to the Palestinian National Authority over two years to aid in building a Palestinian state.
This announcement followed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to La Moncloa Palace in Madrid on November 22, with details revealed on November 28.
The bilateral cooperation plan aims to support Palestine’s recovery from its ongoing conflict with Israel. Spain’s recognition of Palestine as a state on May 28 has intensified its diplomatic rift with Israel. In Congress, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares outlined Spain’s broader Middle East peace efforts, emphasizing balance: “The conflict isn’t about taking sides but pursuing peace, justice, and coexistence.”
In 2023, Spain tripled its Palestinian aid to €50 million, primarily for humanitarian purposes, and plans to maintain similar funding in 2024. However, Israel has criticized such aid, alleging mismanagement and links to terrorism, including accusations against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Despite these claims, Albares firmly defended Spain’s neutral stance, condemning violence from all sides, including Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s bombings.
Notably, Albares confirmed Spain would enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited, further straining relations with Israel. Diplomatic tensions continue to rise, underscoring the challenges of Spain’s pro-peace approach in a deeply divided region.
