Madrid announced on Thursday it will apply to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

“We take the decision because of the ongoing military operation in Gaza,” said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. “We want peace to return to Gaza and the Middle East, and for that to happen we must all support the court.”

Spain is the first European country to request to intervene in the case, joining Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Libya and the “State of Palestine.“