Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Accuses Israel of Violating International Law During Beijing Diplomatic Visit

In Beijing, PM Pedro Sánchez labels Gaza actions a "genocide" and urges China to mediate the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 14, 2026, 5:50 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

The Diplomatic Mission to Beijing Amid Global Unrest

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Beijing on April 14 to engage with Chinese leadership regarding the escalating instability in the Middle East. During a scheduled press conference, Sánchez positioned China as the only global actor with the necessary influence to broker a resolution to the war in Iran and the resulting maritime crisis. According to the Prime Minister, finding other interlocutors capable of addressing the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz is increasingly difficult, leading him to urge the Asian power to assume a more proactive diplomatic role.

Accusations of International Law Violations

The Prime Minister delivered a pointed critique of the current geopolitical landscape, specifically singling out the administration in Jerusalem. Sánchez stated that international law is being fundamentally violated today by the government of Israel. He emphasized that his administration remains committed to preventing impunity for those who commit crimes, specifically referencing the situation in Gaza. According to Sánchez, the actions taken in the Palestinian territory constitute a genocide, a stance that has significantly heightened diplomatic friction between Madrid and Jerusalem.

Condemnation of the Iranian Regime and War Efforts

While directing his primary criticism toward Israel, the Spanish leader also addressed the role of Tehran in the current regional collapse. Sánchez described the Iranian regime's response to the conflict as absolutely illegal, reiterating Spain's long-standing position that the war was a mistake from its inception. By labeling the Iranian actions as an illegality, Sánchez sought to portray Spain as a voice for legal consistency, even as he acknowledged that the response from the Iranian side has been outside the bounds of international norms.