Sanchez’s message broke with EU appeasement, offering a fresh contrast to leaders from countries such as Germany, who have insisted that “this is not the time to lecture our partners and allies” over potential breaches of international law.

Of course, one could argue that it was politically convenient for the Spanish PM to redirect attention, given the domestic backlash over scandals involving his wife, brother, and close members of his socialist party. But the Arab world will remember for years to come both Spain’s stand on Gaza and Europe’s double standards.

For decades, Europe has been portraying itself as a defender of international law. An image that, at least in the Middle East, is already trashed following the Gaza war, and more globally again lies visibly cracked.