Mon Sep 22 22:47:25 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:**

**Summary:**

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares strongly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state and emphasized Spain’s commitment to a two-state solution. He highlighted the growing international recognition of Palestine and Spain’s vocal opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza, including its potential designation as “genocide” and calls for a ban from international sporting events. Albares defended Spain’s defense spending policies, arguing they meet NATO commitments without reaching the 5% GDP target demanded by the U.S., while still actively contributing to European security. He advocated for multilateralism and international cooperation to address global challenges, emphasizing the importance of peace, justice, human rights, and human dignity.

**News Article:**

**Spain Defies Netanyahu, Champions Palestinian State Recognition**

**UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 23, 2025** – In a fiery rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares declared that Israelis will one day crave peace with Palestinians and will want to co-exist. In an interview on Monday at United Nations headquarters, he said the statement that there will never be a Palestinian state is short-sighted.

Speaking ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting, Albares asserted that a growing number of countries, following the lead of Spain, Ireland, and Norway, have recognized the State of Palestine. “The day that everyone will have recognized the state of Palestine, we will have to move forward,” he said. “I’m sure that we will find someday the right people for peace on the Israeli side, in the same way that we have found it in the Palestinian side in the Palestinian Authority.

The Minister’s strong stance comes amid escalating tensions between Spain and Israel over the conflict in Gaza. Spain has been a leading critic of Israel’s military actions, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez even labeling the war a potential “genocide.” This has led to diplomatic spats, including tit-for-tat ministerial bans and accusations of antisemitism. Albares stood firm, stating, “we cannot accept that the natural way for the people in the Middle East to relate is through war, through violence.”

Albares further defended Spain’s defense spending policies, rejecting U.S. pressure to reach 5% of GDP. He insisted Spain meets its NATO commitments with a 2.1% investment, actively contributing to European security with significant military deployments.

Addressing wider global issues, Albares stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation through the UN. He called for international collaboration to tackle challenges ranging from poverty and climate change to the development of artificial intelligence, underscoring that “cooperation is always much stronger than confrontation.” France, Luxembourg, Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia followed suit to recognize Palestine.

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