Madrid - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Monday warned Israel that its actions in its conflict with the Palestinians were not the way to peace and security.

Spain rejected "irresponsible and provocative" ruptures of the ceasefire, as well as "disproportionate" reactions which violated international law, Zapatero said at a press conference.

Zapatero has agreed with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to seek international pressure for an immediate ceasefire, according to government sources.

The daily El Pais meanwhile said that Zapatero had cancelled a visit to Syria and Lebanon to avoid having to make openly anti-Israeli statements. (dpa)