German Chancellor Fridrich Mers will be in Madrid on Friday as part of his first visit to discuss cooperation with Spain, European political issues, and security policy. This visit will also reveal some differences in the overall picture of relations between Germany and Spain.
Redaksiya reports that, while relations between Germany and Spain are generally considered good, significant differences exist, particularly regarding Israel. Although Mers, like Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has sharply criticized Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip, Germany has so far rejected the imposition of sanctions against Israel, with the exception of restricting arms exports.
In contrast, Spain took concrete measures at the beginning of the Gaza conflict. In 2024, it became the first EU member to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In early September, Sánchez announced a full arms embargo and travel ban for "all individuals directly involved in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes in Gaza." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also clarified her proposals regarding sanctions against Israel.
From the European Commission's perspective, the country is violating human rights and international humanitarian law with its military attacks and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe. Mers has not yet commented on these proposals.