09.05.2026 00:49
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez asked the EU Commission to investigate the genocide in Gaza and requested that US sanctions against prosecutors investigating the Gaza genocide should not affect the EU.
Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez told European Commission President von der Leyen that the sanctions imposed by the US on ICC judges and prosecutors investigating the genocide in Gaza should not affect the European Union, and requested the activation of the "blocking statute."
CALL ON UN AND ICC TO STOP GENOCIDE
In a statement on his X account titled "Spain will not look the other way," Sanchez wrote: "Sanctioning those who defend international justice endangers the entire human rights system. The European Union (EU) cannot remain indifferent to this persecution. Therefore, today we call on the Commission to activate the blocking statute to protect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations and their actions to end the genocide in Gaza."
Sanchez's statement is believed to be a response to the sanctions imposed by the US on UN members and the ICC investigating the genocide in Gaza.
The blocking statute that Sanchez requests to be activated is known as a regulation that allows the EU to suspend the application of laws from third countries that affect its interests.
In addition, the Spanish Prime Minister also called for measures against the sanctions imposed by the US on ICC members since the beginning of 2025, which currently affect eleven judges and prosecutors.
TRUMP ORDERED THE SANCTIONS
Last February, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on senior ICC officials and staff in retaliation for the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Washington also sanctioned UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese in July for her "campaign" against Israel.
The pressure tactics authorized by Trump include "cancellation of bank accounts and services, travel restrictions, and any obstacles to prevent targeted officials from carrying out their duties such as investigating and prosecuting human rights violations."
SANCHEZ ALSO SENT A LETTER TO URSULA VON DER LEYEN
Pedro Sanchez's statement came after his letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In the letter, Sanchez noted that these sanctions "set a very worrying precedent that jeopardizes the independent functioning of institutions essential for international justice."
European Union Regulation No. 2271/1996, known as the Blocking Statute, protects sanctioned individuals against the international application of third-country laws that affect EU interests.