Spain, Slovenia and Ireland call for EU discussion on suspending Israel agreement
In a letter addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the three governments argued that Israel is breaching “human rights,” Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have called on the European Union to consider suspending its association agreement with Israel, stating that the bloc can no longer remain “on the sidelines” amid the deteriorating situation in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon.
Ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Tuesday, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said the three countries had officially requested that the matter be included on the agenda.
Earlier, in March, it was reported that Spain had temporarily moved its special forces from Iraq to safer locations after worsening security conditions disrupted their training work with Iraqi troops.
Spain said the temporary relocation had been necessary after the security situation no longer allowed its Special Operations Task Group to continue missions safely.
The unit had been operating in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group. Spanish forces were involved in training Iraqi counterterrorism personnel in Baghdad and at bases in the Kurdish-controlled north.
According to the ministry, about 300 Spanish military personnel were deployed in Iraq at the time. Officials did not disclose where the relocated forces were moved.
The decision came after a drone strike near Erbil raised concerns among coalition members in the region. The attack hit a French military facility southwest of Erbil, killing a French officer and injuring other soldiers.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the strike as unacceptable, saying French troops had been deployed only for counterterrorism purposes against IS.
Italy also moved personnel from Camp Singara near Erbil International Airport after a drone hit the base the previous week. No Italian troops were reported injured.
Spain had maintained a military presence in Iraq since 2015 under Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led coalition created to fight IS. Its special operations contingent was rotated every six months and included personnel from the army, navy, and air force.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the Spanish government had formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel.