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Spain enacts total arms embargo on Israel amid Gaza crisis
The Spanish government has approved a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, marking a significant step in its response to the conflict in Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the situation as "genocide," emphasizing the need for decisive action.
The decree, announced on Tuesday, bans all exports of defense equipment and dual-use technologies to Israel. It also prohibits the import of similar items from Israel and blocks the transit of aircraft fuel with potential military applications. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo highlighted the inclusion of a ban on products originating from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including their advertising.
"This measure represents a pioneering effort on the international stage to implement a total arms embargo on Israel," Cuerpo said following the cabinet’s approval.
The government stated that this decree formalizes an existing ban on military trade with Israel, which has been in place since the start of the Israeli offensive in Gaza. However, the measure must still be ratified by parliament, where Sánchez's left-wing coalition lacks a majority, raising potential hurdles for its final approval.
Sánchez, a vocal critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza, announced the embargo as part of a broader package of nine measures aimed at halting the humanitarian crisis. Speaking at Columbia University in New York on Monday, he called the situation in Gaza "one of the darkest and most terrible events of the 21st century" and urged the international community to act decisively.
The decree comes as tensions remain high following the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military response. Sánchez’s stance has positioned Spain as one of the most outspoken critics within Europe regarding the ongoing conflict.