On Wednesday, the upper house of the Spanish parliament saw a heated debate over a proposal to classify the events in Gaza as genocide. The Socialists, who put forward the initiative, aimed not only to gain support but also to force the opposition to take a clear stance. However, representatives of the Partido Popular (PP) and the far-right Vox opposed the motion, immediately sparking intense debate.
From the very start of the session, it was clear the discussion would be contentious. Most PP senators chose not to attend, and those who remained appeared visibly disinterested. When it came time to vote, the chamber gradually filled, but the outcome was predictable—both parties rejected the Socialists’ proposal.
During the debate, left-wing representatives did not hold back their emotions, accusing the opposition of lacking moral compass. Some lawmakers even questioned whether their opponents could sleep at night, knowing what is happening in the Middle East. In response, senators from other parties reproached the government for trying to use the tragedy to divert attention from domestic issues, including corruption scandals.
Nationalist parties did not object to the use of the term “genocide,” but their representatives stated that the entire discussion was nothing more than a political game between the country’s two largest parties. Vox, for its part, strongly condemned the prime minister’s foreign policy, accusing him of indifference to the fate of Gaza’s residents and of pursuing personal gain.
Despite internal disagreements, the PP officially limited itself to describing the situation as “mass extermination” and a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Some regional party leaders had already called the events in Gaza a genocide, but the central leadership chose not to cross that line. At the same time, certain party members preferred not to use any definitions at all, simply calling what was happening a war.
As a result, the Socialists’ attempt to secure official recognition of genocide in the Senate failed. This decision further deepened divisions between the parties and highlighted how sensitive foreign policy issues are in Spanish society. In the near future, more debates and possibly new initiatives on this subject are expected.
