September 19, 2025 | 09:16 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spain's chief prosecutor Alvaro Garcia Ortiz issued a decree on Thursday to establish a special task force comprised of high-level prosecutors to investigate alleged violations of international human rights law in Gaza.
Quoting Euractiv, Ortiz said Spain will "investigate human rights violations in Gaza" to assist the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for high-ranking Israeli officials on charges of war crimes.
This announcement marks Spain's further step—a vocal critic of the Israeli genocide in the Palestinian territories—to lead international action on the conflict.
The mission of this investigation team is to "gather evidence and make it available to the competent body, thereby fulfilling Spain’s obligations regarding international cooperation and human rights," he said.
"Faced with the current situation in the Palestinian territories, all evidence, direct or indirect, that can be gathered in our country on crimes committed in Gaza must be included for potential use in the ICC case," Ortiz wrote, as quoted by Arab News.
The statement mentioned a Spanish police report in June to the Prosecutor General's Office's Human Rights Chamber, which documented "acts that could constitute crimes against the international community" carried out by the Israeli army in Gaza.
The investigation will examine whether Israel's military actions can be considered violations of international law under Spanish Criminal Law Code, the Attorney General's statement noted.
The collected evidence will be submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is still reviewing the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel. Spain formally joined this case last year through an intervention statement.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that Madrid is adhering to its obligations under international agreements, both as a member of the ICJ and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Garca Ortiz's decree comes two days after UN investigators released a report accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and urging member states to cooperate with international courts.
The decree was also issued a day after the European Commission announced proposed sanctions, including the suspension of preferential trade concessions for Israeli goods, as well as sanctions against far-right ministers and extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank.
ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel's campaign in Gaza.
Spain has also joined cases before other international courts, namely the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Both ICC and ICJ have faced harsh criticism from Israel and its allies over these cases.
In February, the United States imposed sanctions on the ICC, stating that the ICC had "abused its power" with the arrest warrants for Netanyahu.
Israel has challenged the jurisdiction of the ICC, which has 125 member countries.
Spain-Israel relations have deteriorated due to the genocide in Gaza, with Israel withdrawing its ambassador to Madrid last year after Spain recognized Palestine as a state.
Last week, Spain withdrew its ambassador from Tel Aviv after the Israeli foreign minister accused its government of anti-Semitism.
This dispute followed measures announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez aimed at "stopping the genocide in Gaza."
The Israeli military continues to launch brutal attacks in the Gaza Strip, killing over 65,100 Palestinian civilians since October 2023 as of Thursday. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and left its residents starving.
Editor’s Choice: Israel Admits to Targeted Strike on Hamas Leaders in Doha, Qatar
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Human Rights Ministry Says Enforced Disappearance in August Protests is Hasty Conclusion
1 jam lalu
Two out of the four reported missing persons intentionally fled, according to KontraS.
Orthodox Jews Protest in New York Against Netanyahu's Upcoming UN Visit
12 jam lalu
Hundreds of Orthodox Jews held a protest in New York City condemning Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to attend the UN General Assembly
Israel Attacks Refugee Vehicle in Gaza, 13 Dead
17 jam lalu
At least 13 Palestinian civilians were killed in an Israeli army attack targeting a vehicle carrying a refugee family in Gaza.
Bernie Sanders Becomes First US Senator to Call Israel's Gaza Offensive Genocide
17 jam lalu
Bernie Sanders' statement, published on his Senate website under the title "This Is Genocide," makes him the first US senator to use the term.
List of Countries Supplying Arms to Israel, Led by the US
18 jam lalu
The United States and several European countries are actively supplying weapons to Israel.
Hamas Official Breaks Silence on Israeli Attack in Qatar
21 jam lalu
A senior Hamas official speaks out about the deadly Israeli attack in Doha last week.
Pope Leo XIV Condemns Forcible Displacement of Gaza Residents by Israel
21 jam lalu
Pope Leo XIV expresses solidarity with the people of Palestine in Gaza
Indonesian Actress and Activist Wanda Hamidah Joins Gaza-Bound Flotilla
23 jam lalu
Wanda Hamidah becomes the only Indonesian woman on the Kaiser ship heading to Gaza from Tunisia to break Israeli siege.
Israeli-Palestinian Two-State Solution: Who Voted Against or Abstained?
1 hari lalu
On Friday, UNGA held a vote on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, with 142 votes in favor, 10 against, and 12 abstention.
Eurovision: Countries to Boycott If Israel Competes
1 hari lalu
The Eurovision Song Contest is supposed to be apolitical. But Israel is now at the center of calls for boycott and protests, due to the ongoing war in
