Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez crosses dangerous red line in ‘atomic bomb’ remark – opinion

Author: Published: September 20, 2025

In the judgment of history, Sánchez’s words will be remembered as disgraceful – evidence of moral blindness and failed leadership.

SPANISH PRIME MINISTER Pedro Sánchez leaves at the end of a news conference before summer break, in Madrid, in July. In recent weeks, he has led unprecedented moves against Israel, the writer charges.
SPANISH PRIME MINISTER Pedro Sánchez leaves at the end of a news conference before summer break, in Madrid, in July. In recent weeks, he has led unprecedented moves against Israel, the writer charges.
(photo credit: Juan Medina/Reuters)
ByDAVID BEN-BASAT
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s recent remark that “We do not have atomic bombs to stop Israel” is not just another harsh political statement. It is a crossing of a red line that places Spain at the center of an international scandal.

This is not a case of clumsy wording or rhetorical exaggeration; it is an implied threat against the State of Israel, a sovereign nation fighting for its right to exist against terror and violence.

Should Israel understand from his words that if Spain possessed nuclear weapons, it would consider using them against Israel? Sánchez has never issued such threats toward Iran’s murderous ayatollah regime, which openly calls for Israel’s destruction.

In recent weeks, Sánchez has led unprecedented moves against Israel: declaring an arms embargo, supporting boycotts, and leveling false accusations of “genocide.” Yet his latest statement, which refers to Spain’s military capacity vis-à-vis Israel, while invoking the notion of “atomic bombs,” is reckless and resonates not only in newsrooms but also in diplomatic corridors worldwide.

Instead of working to secure the release of hostages held by terror groups, he chooses to direct his fire at Israel – the victim, not the aggressor.

Hostage families led a march with thousands of Israelis participating, from Savidor Central to the main rally at Hostages Square on September 13, 2025. (credit: Uriel Even Sapir)
Hostage families led a march with thousands of Israelis participating, from Savidor Central to the main rally at Hostages Square on September 13, 2025. (credit: Uriel Even Sapir)

His words are especially disturbing in light of his silence regarding the hostages. Rather than using his international standing to demand their immediate release, Sánchez embraces an anti-Israel narrative that legitimizes terror. Every statement that blurs the line between innocent hostages and murderous terrorists strikes at human dignity and deepens the suffering of their families.

Sánchez has also announced that his government is advancing an arms embargo against Israel due to the war in Gaza, and that Madrid will bar ships and aircraft carrying weapons or military supplies to Israel from Spanish ports and airspace.

Iossible to ignore historical shadows cast by comments 

ONE CANNOT ignore the historical shadows cast by his comments. Spain is notorious in Jewish history for the 1492 Spanish Inquisition, one of the darkest chapters for the Jewish people, in which hundreds of thousands were expelled, humiliated, and murdered in the name of “purity of faith.”

Now, 500 years later, voices once again emerge from Madrid threatening Jews; this time in their sovereign state. The comparison is not coincidental: when a Spanish leader feels free to hurl grave accusations at the Jewish state and even hint at military threats, he continues a legacy of hostility that a modern democracy should have abandoned long ago.

The audacity lies not only in his words but in his willingness to jeopardize Spain’s relations with Israel, a democratic nation at the forefront of the global struggle against radical Islamic terror. His rhetoric does not advance peace or reconciliation; it fuels division, hatred, and rising antisemitism across Europe.

Instead of acting as a responsible NATO leader, Sánchez has chosen the language of bullying, seeking domestic political gain at the expense of another nation’s security. Any leader who dares to suggest, even hypothetically, the use of nuclear weapons forfeits the moral authority to lecture others about human rights or peace.

This bullying extends to the European arena, where Sánchez pressures other EU states to adopt anti-Israel policies, threatens leaders who resist, and attempts to impose a hostile diplomatic reality. In doing so, Spain disqualifies itself from any role as a potential mediator and becomes an openly adversarial actor in the Middle East.

Sánchez has also declared his willingness to accept “refugees from Gaza.” While seemingly humanitarian, such a move carries grave risks. Europe has already experienced the consequences of uncontrolled waves of migration, sometimes exploited as fertile ground for terror, antisemitism, and erosion of local identity.

A commitment to admit tens or hundreds of thousands from Gaza without security vetting – without distinguishing between innocent civilians and Hamas operatives – endangers not only Spain but the entire continent.

This declaration exposes Sánchez’s weakness in the face of radical Islam. He knows Hamas uses civilians as human shields, yet instead of condemning this, he is ready to throw open Spain’s gates. This is not humanitarianism. It is ideological capitulation, one that strengthens terror and undermines Europe’s capacity to defend itself.

A leader who embraces every refugee indiscriminately ignores the reality that among them may be Hamas supporters. This is not compassion; it is dangerous irresponsibility. History teaches that surrendering identity and principles never leads to peace, only to disaster. A European leader who fails to grasp this repeats past mistakes and imperils both his people and his neighbors.

Israel does not fear Sánchez’s threats. It is strong enough to withstand diplomatic assaults and will continue to defend its citizens against any enemy, near or far. Europe must ask itself: Is this truly the leader it wants at the forefront? Is this the voice it wishes to project – a voice of bullying, capitulation, and historic hostility toward Jews?

In the judgment of history, Sánchez’s words will be remembered as disgraceful – evidence of moral blindness and failed leadership.

The writer, CEO of Radios 100FM, is an honorary consul and deputy dean of the Consular Diplomatic Corps, president of the Israel Amateur Radio Club, a former Army Radio monitor, and NBC News correspondent.

Portugal says it will recognize Palestinian state on Sunday, ahead of UN assembly

Author: Published: September 20, 2025

Some 10 other nations also expected to recognize Palestinian statehood at General Assembly next week; Saudi Arabia, France, Norway and Spain launch global fundraising campaign for PA

By Agencies and Jacob Magid 
Today, 5:32 am
A man holds up a Palestinian flag postcard during a protest calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state outside the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

A man holds up a Palestinian flag postcard during a protest calling for the recognition of a Palestinian state outside the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

Portugal will officially recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday, Lisbon’s foreign ministry said on Friday, ahead of a UN General Assembly where around 10 other countries are set to follow suit.

Britain, Canada and France are among the other Western nations planning to give a Palestinian state recognition at the assembly, which comes as Israel’s campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip grinds on.

Lisbon had already announced in July that it intended to do so given the “extremely worrying evolution of the conflict,” as well as the humanitarian crisis and Israel’s repeated threats to annex the West Bank.

“The ministry of foreign affairs confirms that Portugal will recognize the State of Palestine… the official declaration of recognition will be made on Sunday, September 21,” a statement on the ministry’s website said.

Israel has fiercely criticized plans for Palestinian recognition, arguing that it rewards Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war in Gaza.

Earlier Friday, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron said Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and San Marino also plan to recognize the state of Palestine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, looks at Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro while addressing journalists at the Porto City Hall, in Porto, Portugal, February 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Vieira)

Beginning on Monday, next week’s UN General Assembly in New York is set to be devoted to the question of the so-called two state solution to the long-running Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Around three-quarters of the 193 members of United Nations already recognize the state of Palestine, which the General Assembly approved de facto recognition of in 2012 by upgrading its observer status at the world body to “non-member state” from “entity.” Only a handful of the 27 European Union members currently recognize a Palestinian state, mostly former Communist countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus.

‘Mobilizing to prevent PA’s financial collapse’

Alongside the General Assembly, France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair a conference in New York next week on the two-state solution. Ahead of the confab, the two countries were working with Norway and Spain to rally countries around an emergency aid package to prevent the Palestinian Authority’s collapse while Israel withholds hundreds of millions of dollars that belong to Ramallah, according to a letter to potential donor states obtained by The Times of Israel.

For four consecutive months, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been refusing to transfer clearance revenues that Israel collects on the PA’s behalf. These funds make up the majority of Ramallah’s budget and their withholding has brought the PA to brink of collapse.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich gestures toward a map of the West Bank during a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, September 3, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The letter to potential donor countries who will be attending a French-Saudi two-state solution conference at the UN on Monday says that participants are expected to demand Israel release the Palestinian funds.

However, organizers seemed resigned to the possibility that Jerusalem will not budge on the issue and therefore set a fundraising goal of $200 million for each of the next six months to cover the PA’s operating expenses.

“Support to the recovery of the private sector and the functioning of essential commercial actors, including Palestinian banks, is also needed,” the letter says.

A European diplomat teold The Times of Israel that the four participating countries have already agreed to donate $200 million a month to the PA for six months, but are hoping that other countries help share the burden.

“The Palestinian Authority is engaged in implementing an ambitious reform agenda, aiming at structural transformations that lay the foundation for a modern, transparent, and accountable State,” said the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, France, Norway and Spain, as they sought to justify another international fundraising campaign for Ramallah.

Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in the effort is particularly noteworthy, as Riyadh previously was one of PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s biggest critics, accusing him of corruption.

The leading Arab country’s inclusion in the effort gives Ramallah’s recent reform efforts a boost of legitimacy.

A handout picture provided by the Palestinian Authority’s press office (PPO) shows PA President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh on August 27, 2024. (Thaer Ghanaim / PPO / AFP)

The letter says the PA is facing an “existential threat” due to the withholding of clearance revenues on top of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, settler violence in the West Bank and blocks on transfers to Palestinian banks.

“A viable Palestinian state capable of fulfilling the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people will be essential for a future of peace and security in the Middle East,” the four countries said.

“We therefore need to urgently mobilize to prevent a financial collapse of the Palestinian Authority, with severe implications for Palestinian society, regional stability, and international security,” the letter continues. “Financial shortcoming cannot be the cause of the failure of the Palestinian State and destabilization of the Middle East.”

“We need to act now, and with this objective, we propose to swiftly coordinate in the coming days an emergency coalition for Palestine,” the letter states.

Hamas: Israel will not receive another hostage after IDF invasion of Gaza City

Author: Published: September 19, 2025

Additionally, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim warned that any further IDF operations in Gaza would result in harm to the hostages.

HAMAS TERRORISTS keep guard on the day Hamas handed over deceased hostages, in Khan Yunis, Feb. 20, 2025.
HAMAS TERRORISTS keep guard on the day Hamas handed over deceased hostages, in Khan Yunis, Feb. 20, 2025.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
ByLIRAN HARONI
Updated: 
Hamas said that the IDF’s invasion of Gaza City means that Israel will not receive any hostages, dead or alive, in a Thursday statement.

“Your prisoners are distributed within the neighborhoods of Gaza City, and we will not be concerned for their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them,” a statement from the al-Qassam Brigades said, as reported by CNN.

“The commencement of this criminal operation and its expansion means that you will not receive any prisoner, neither alive nor dead, and their fate will be the same as that of (Ron Arad).”

The al-Qassam Brigades statement referred to Israeli Air Force officer Ron Arad, who was kidnapped in Lebanon in 1986.

Hamas official Bassem Naim attends a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon November 8, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
Hamas official Bassem Naim attends a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon November 8, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

Despite attempts to secure his release, Arad remained in Lebanese captivity, and apart from little documented evidence, Israel declared in 2016 that he died in captivity in 1988.

Earlier on Thursday, Bassem Naim, a senior official in Hamas’s political bureau who was targeted in the Israeli strike in Doha, appeared on Qatari television for the first time since the attack.

Naim warned that any continued Israeli ground offensive in Gaza City would be met with intense resistance in an interview with Al Araby.

“The operation in Gaza City will be met with fierce resistance,” he said. “The death and destruction the enemy is trying to bring to Gaza’s streets will also come upon its soldiers.

“Whoever harms our people during the operation in Gaza City will also harm its captives, both the living and the dead.”

Naim also accused Israel of using negotiations as a cover for its military actions.

“Israel deceived everyone, pretending to engage in negotiations to mask its crimes,” he added.

Israel tells families it lacks precise Gaza hostage locations 

Israeli security officials have privately informed the families of hostages that they do not have specific information on the hostages’ current locations, according to a report published by N12 on Wednesday evening.

This admission contrasts with recent public assurances from both political and military leaders, who have emphasized that the military campaign in Gaza is being conducted carefully in areas thought to contain hostages. Families who took part in the private meeting said they were told a different and far more uncertain picture.

According to N12, a senior defense official stated during the meeting that the army cannot confirm where the hostages are.

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