Amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, Arab and European leaders gathered in Madrid to advocate for a two-state solution. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the need for concrete measures to advance this goal. He urged the international community to take decisive steps toward a just and lasting peace in the region. The envisioned solution involves a peaceful coexistence between an independent Palestinian state and Israel. The German government also supports this approach.
The meeting in Madrid included key figures such as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, alongside representatives from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The European Union was represented by its foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. Additionally, foreign ministers from Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain, who have officially recognized a Palestinian state, participated in the discussions.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares underscored that the two-state solution is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. He noted that Israel was not invited to the meeting because it does not belong to the European or Arab-Islamic contact groups. However, he welcomed Israel’s participation in future discussions.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for eleven months, triggered by a major Hamas attack on October 7 of the previous year. The attack resulted in 1205 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza. In response, Israel has launched significant military operations in Gaza, resulting in over 41,100 deaths, according to Hamas reports.
The Madrid meeting reflects a collective effort by European and Arab nations to find a peaceful resolution and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The leaders called for the release of Israeli hostages and urged for humanitarian aid in the region, striving for a path to peace through the two-state solution.
