Protests in Madrid, Spain   (Photo:  File)

Madrid, June 9 (RHC)-- Hundreds of Palestine supporters gathered in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid to demand the termination of relations with Israel and end of hostilities in Palestine.   Footage showed demonstrators gathering with Palestine flags and a banner reading: "Always with Palestinian resistance" while chanting slogans: "Boycott Israel."

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday that the country requested permission from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to join South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, becoming the first EU nation to make such a request.

South Africa filed its case late last year, stating that Israel was breaching the genocide convention in its attack on Gaza, following the Hamas assault on southern Israel.

Last month, the ICJ ruled that Israel "must immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action" in the city of Rafah, due to concerns about the humanitarian situation. It has not yet ruled on the central allegation of 'genocide' which Israel strongly denies.

The move comes after Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, recognized the State of Palestine, sparking a fierce backlash from Israel.