In international relations, trust is built through consistency-and can be lost quickly if mismanaged. Pedro Sánchez is rapidly depleting Spain’s credibility.
This month, the prime minister’s administration declined to let U. S. forces use jointly operated bases at Rota and Morón for actions against Iran, which led U. S. President Donald Trump to label Spain “terrible” and threaten a complete trade freeze: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
When a leader chooses to undermine sovereignty abroad-discrediting Israel while ignoring American security interests-he shouldn’t be surprised if that same approach turns back on him.
The most exposed target? Spain’s territories in Morocco: Ceuta, Melilla, and the smaller plazas de soberanía. A blunt trade conflict hurts both parties and risks backlash from the European Union. A more strategic U. S. response-reviving scrutiny of these colonial remnants-costs Washington nothing, embarrasses Sánchez, and rewards a steadfast ally in Morocco.
Over the past two years, Sánchez has become one of the West’s most outspoken critics of Israel, treating Jewish sovereignty as something that can be easily negotiated away. After the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, his hostile rhetoric escalated into outright delegitimization, leading to Spain’s unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state without meeting key criteria for statehood.
Recognition under international law isn’t just symbolic. According to the Montevideo Convention, it demands effective territorial control, a monopoly on force, and capacity for stable international relations. Gaza remains under Hamas control-committed ideologically to destroying Israel; while the West Bank suffers from militia fragmentation and corruption crises. By making this move, Spain rewards hope over governance and diminishes the significance of sovereignty-inviting retaliation: If rules can bend for an imaginary state, why not for America’s oldest ally regarding Spanish territories?
The inconsistency deepens with Madrid’s refusal to engage in post-war efforts aimed at creating viable institutions serving Palestinians. When the United States and its partners formed the Board of Peace coalition for Gaza’s rebuilding efforts and security reforms, Spain chose not to participate-eager to grant symbolic gestures but hesitant about investing in meaningful state-building initiatives.
This stance has led domestically to an increase in antisemitism incidents. Spain’s Antisemitism Observatory reports incidents are up 321% in 2024 compared to 2023 and 567% over 2022. Hostility has become normalized under anti-Zionist pretenses across politics, academia, and culture. Recent events include vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in Barcelona, an attack on a kosher restaurant in Madrid, harassment of Israeli tourists (including a Holocaust survivor) at Reina Sofía Museum due to displaying a Star of David alongside an Israeli flag as well as removing over 50 kippah-wearing teenagers from a Vueling airlines flight in Valencia because they were singing in Hebrew.
Sánchez isn’t just allowing antisemitism; by endorsing anti-Israel delegitimization rhetoric he encourages it-and Jews are paying the price during already tense times across Europe.
Geopolitically speaking, Sánchez’s confrontational attitude toward America makes matters worse. He questions U. S military operations while positioning Spain as a prominent critic of Washington’s strategy amid growing Islamist influence across Sahel and North Africa: ISIS and Al Qaeda affiliates expanding from Mali through Niger into southern Algeria alongside increased Iranian influence within unstable states. Undermining transatlantic relations isn’t merely differing views; it’s creating openings for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along with their proxies.
Now compare this with Morocco: One of history’s oldest continuous nations rooted back since Idrisid dynasty emerged around late eighth century onward through successive dynasties like Almoravids or Saadians which established enduring sovereignty long before modern European states came into existence.
Spain asserts claims over Ceuta (taken by Portugal back in 1415 then transferred finally onto Spanish hands later) plus Melilla (established late fifteenth century), insisting they existed before any post-colonial modern Morocco was formed which confuses colonial takeovers versus civilizational continuity; Morocco had sovereign status well ahead Iberian expansions began! The irony becomes sharper when considering historical ties where Morocco recognized America’s independence first back during Revolutionary War period even opening ports available towards fledgling American Navy efforts whilst contrasting deeply contrasted relationships between early Republic & imperial rivalries ending post-1898 Spanish-American War whereby defeat dismantled its colonial empire across Americas!
Nowadays Moroccan government enhances alliance through Abraham Accords normalizing relations linking Israel with Arab nations alongside Western democracies via investments geared towards regional integration fostering counter-radicalization intelligence-sharing collaborations resulting success stories where DGST (General Directorate For Territorial Surveillance) plus BCIJ (Central Bureau Of Judicial Investigations) disrupted hundreds upon hundreds terrorism cells since inception dating way back till year ’02 additionally providing valuable insights foiling plots targeting Europe including locating Paris attack mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud helping thwart recent Austrian disruption tied ISIS plot aimed directly against security services occurring January ’26 highlighting how moderate Moroccan Islam stands firm against extremism threats!
The Moroccan authorities have also taken steps recently blocking imported political symbols including banning Palestinian keffiyehs appearing within African Cup Nations venues aiming protect civic spaces while awareness grows concerning foreign manipulations exemplified by Qatari-linked protests witnessed Tangier Med attempting obstruct U. S arms transportation headed toward Israel lately resulting young Moroccans flooding social media platforms affirming loyalties aligning Western alliances openly supporting both Washington & Jerusalem stating loudly “Long live United States! Long Live Israel!” echoed throughout hundreds posts seen Instagram Tik Tok videos alike!
Spain however heads directly opposite direction..
The divergence strikes hardest particularly surrounding North Africa territorial disagreements involving Ceuta, Mellila plazas de soberanía(Chafarinas Islands , Peñón de Alhucemas , Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera) regarded throughout entire continent viewed last remnants lingering colonialism brought forth decades-long stasis fueled solely by remaining NATO allegiances now facing possible shifts threatening existing equilibrium!
This month Senators Ted Cruz(R-Texas), Tom Cotton(R-Ark.)& Rick Scott(R-Fla.) introduced Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act. Cruz warned Tehran seeks utilize Polisario similar Houthis West Africa reflecting ongoing reassessments happening Washington concerning North African dynamics amidst rising jihadists influences Iranian outreach spotlighted regions showcasing reliable partnership embedded firmly tied into thriving collaboration frameworks! Notably, U. S recognition granted Moroccan Sovereignty covering Western Sahara favored strengthening proven allies instead relying vague positions empowering destabilizers-a crucial logic now parallels applications concerning enclave situations surrounding entire span involved here!
Trump issuing trade threats poses potential risks likely inciting backlash leading EU responses coupled domestic repercussions whereas pressures targeting Ceuta, Mellila plazas offers surgical precision zero costs imposed Washington maximum political damage inflicted upon Sánchez simultaneously rewarding unwavering loyalty stemming straightforwardly visible contributions made evidenced ranging Abraham Accords leadership life-saving intelligence migration controls established keeping situation stabilizing overall satisfaction levels retained among concerned parties involved globally speaking..
History strongly suggests preferred solid allies whenever issues pertaining sovereignty arise effectively showcasing past examples such Colin Powell mediating during Perejil crisis favoring preservation Moroccan claims thus posing key questions whether continued undermining current priorities warrants indefinitely shielding final vestiges left behind Spanish Colonial Empire?
Sovereignty operates reciprocally protecting your allies validates legitimacy reinforcing yours yet eroding theirs invites reciprocal erosion targeting own foundational concepts needing safeguarding. Belittling Israeli rights failing uphold critical American imperatives opens dangerous pathways jeopardizing vulnerable territorial aspirations stemming right out culturally enriched heritage grounded firmly surrounded rich historical contexts aligning presently faced consequences arising through realigning powers becoming part coherent larger frameworks emerging today ultimately fortifying alliances pursuing common goals seen visibly shaping future trajectories fast approaching realities unfolding presently everywhere we look now!
window. fb Async Init = function() { FB. init({ app Id : ‘1588495122307256’, xfbml : true, version : ‘v2.9′ }); }; (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs=d. get Elements By Tag Name(s)[0]; if(d. get Element By Id(id)){return;} js=d. create Element(s); js. id=id; js. src=”https://connect. facebook. net/en_US/sdk. js”; fjs. parent Node. insert Before(js, fjs); }(document,’script’,’facebook-jssdk’));
Source link
window. fb Async Init = function() { FB. init({ app Id : ‘1588495122307256’, xfbml : true, version : ‘v2.9′ }); }; (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs=d. get Elements By Tag Name(s)[0]; if(d. get Element By Id(id)){return;} js=d. create Element(s); js. id=id; js. src=”https://connect. facebook. net/en_US/sdk. js”; fjs. parent Node. insert Before(js, fjs); }(document,’script’,’facebook-jssdk’));
Source link
