Statement by the Spanish Government on the bombing of Gernika 26 April 2022

Euskaraz irakurri: Espainiako Gobernuak “espresuki” gaitzetsi du Gernikako bonbardaketa, lehen aldiz

the Spanish government, for the first time he “expressly condemned the bombing of Gernika” happened 85 years ago, in an institutional statement on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the bombing of Gernika.

In a statement read by the Minister of the Presidency, Relations with the Courts and Democratic Memory, Félix Bolaños, the government of Spain “for the first time” expressly condemned the indiscriminate bombing of the civilian population by the city of Gernika.

Bolaños explained that “Gernika has become a universal symbol against the barbarity, against the horror of war and above all the horror of bombing defenseless people”.

“For this reason, today is a day of remembrance and a day to commemorate all those victims who suffered the bombing of Gernika 85 years ago. Of course, our institutional statement recognizes the victims, condemns acts of war as absolutely cruel as it was that bombing. And for this reason, the government of Spain for the first time expressly condemns the bombing of Gernika that took place 85 years ago“, has declared.

In the statement approved today by the Council of Ministers, the Spanish government confirms that “the war in Spain was one of the first conflicts in which the civilian population was a military target. There is almost unanimous agreement in national and international historiography on the consideration of the bombing of Gernika as a prelude or dress rehearsal for this kind of generalized air offensive to be launched during the Second World War. For this reason, the town of Gernika is a fundamental part of Basque, Spanish and European memory. It represents the brutality of war against the civilian population.”

In the text of the above statement, the Government of Spain is of the opinion that “the air raid that this city suffered on April 26, 1937 was a sentencing without palliative care

“For this reason, firstly, the government renews the recognition of Spanish society towards the victims and their families, which is expressed annually in numerous acts of commemoration and tribute. Secondly, it declares its commitment to the survival of the memory of all the victims, both those who lost their lives and those who survived, and carried in their memories forever the images and experiences of the collective tragedy that marked the Civil War.And thirdly, it reaffirms its commitment to the defense of the principles of truth, justice, restoration and guarantee of non-repetition, as well as in building a common memory that contributes to the maintenance of peace.

Also on site for the first time

Exactly today, also for the first time, the Spanish government will be present at the commemoration of the bombing that will take place this afternoon in the city of Bizkaia. It will be the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez López, who will attend the events.

This morning, the President of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, denounced on social networks that “the bombing of Gernika by the Nazi and Fascist aviation was one of the bloodiest episodes of the civil war. 85 years later, we remember this day and for all its victims”.

The bombing of #gernika by the Nazis and Fascist aviation was one of the bloodiest episodes of the Civil War. 85 years later, we commemorate this day and all its victims. Because memory is essential to continue building a democratic and peaceful society. pic.twitter.com/lwtiDQA7dJ

– Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) Apr 26, 2022