"Stop the massacre in Gaza," the King tells Israel at the UN

King Felipe VI made a powerful defense of the UN and multilateralism on its 80th anniversary, even as Donald Trump's destructive words against the organization still resonated. "Rules are the voice of reason," he said.

Although he acknowledged his imperfections and that complacency is inconvenient, he maintained that it is in these moments of uncertainty that it is most important to read history and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. In both form and substance, the King's speech, the first of the second day of the general assembly, was a light in the face of Trump's darkness, a world that, according to him, is going to hell, except for his own country, of course.

Responding to the US president, Felipe VI argued that "properly managed" immigration is a "vector of mutual development," although one of the most eloquent moments came when the monarch addressed the Gaza conflict, saying that "we cannot remain silent or look the other way in the face of devastation."

“We cry out, we implore, we demand: no more deaths in the name of such a wise and ancient people.”

The King advocated for a two-state solution. In response to the White House's rejection of that solution, Felipe VI lamented the bombings, the deaths, and the famine. "These are abhorrent acts that are the antithesis of everything this forum represents. They are repugnant to the human conscience and shame the entire international community," he condemned. He then appealed to the Spanish history of a country "proud" of its Sephardic roots to reinforce Spain's position.

“When we speak of Israel, we speak of a brotherly people, which is why it pains us so much, why it is so difficult for us to understand what the Israeli government is doing in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. That is why we cry out, we implore, we demand: stop this massacre now. No more deaths in the name of such a wise and ancient people who have suffered so much throughout history,” he emphasized in his speech.

Once again, the King condemned the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, which prompted this disproportionate revenge by the Israeli army.

"The UN is about avoiding the temptation to modulate ourselves with particularisms, with exceptions."

"With the same firmness, we demand that the Israeli government fully apply international humanitarian law and that international aid be delivered," he demanded.

"We demand the arrival of humanitarian aid without delay, a guaranteed ceasefire, and the immediate release of all hostages still held so cruelly by Hamas," the King said. In his statement, he emphasized that the international community "must assume its responsibility to make a viable two-state solution a reality."

In this sense, the recognition of the State of Palestine by "a growing number" of members of the United Nations, which Spain joined last May, "should help achieve a just and definitive regional peace." But the King did not use the word "genocide ," a common one used by President Pedro Sánchez, but rather "massacre ." "I am 100% in agreement with what the King has said," the President replied when asked about this word.

"100% in agreement with what the King has said," Sánchez replied to the question about Felipe VI not speaking of genocide.

Nor did he forget the other great scourge, the one affecting the European continent due to the invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022. That war continues, "triggered by Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression, in violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he lamented.

"Peace in Europe will not be possible without justice and accountability. Spain will continue to support efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace based on the principles of international law, respect for human rights, and accountability," he stated.

He was replaced on the podium by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We had a good conversation with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain,” the Kyiv leader wrote on X. “Spain supports Ukraine in many areas: humanitarian, military, and economic. What matters most is genuine and effective support,” he added.

Zelensky thanked the Spanish monarch for the "genuine and effective support" that Spain provides to Ukraine.

Gaza and Ukraine are the examples that Felipe VI cited as obstacles for the UN to overcome. "This is a hectic, uncontrolled world, which too often places us on the verge of a precipice, where there is no shortage of voices advocating the end of multilateralism and the obsolescence and ineffectiveness of the United Nations," he said at the assembly.

The message had a recipient. "Faced with this impression of collapse, we must argue: it's clear that times have changed, and we must adapt, anticipate, without taking refuge in idealism," he said.

In a speech in which Felipe VI warned about the lack of resources, the fragility of states, inequalities, the impact of climate change, and the artificial intelligence revolution, he argued that the UN is about "avoiding the temptation to modulate ourselves with particularisms, relativism, and exceptions." He also stated that "we are supporters of pluralistic, open societies where all citizens participate."