In an effort to pressure Israel over the genocide in Gaza, Spain imposed a total arms embargo on Israel and barred imports from West Bank settlements.
The Spanish government adopted the measures on Tuesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the goal was to halt the “genocide in Gaza.” Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo explained, “This decree is a big step forward and is pioneering at the international level when it comes to a total arms embargo on Israel.”
Cuerpo said Madrid had adopted four measures limiting trade with Tel Aviv. Spain imposed a total embargo on buying and selling arms with Israel, denying the transit of fuels that could have military use, a ban on imports from West Bank settlements, and a prohibition of advertising goods produced in Palestinian-occupied territories.
“Today we consolidate the total arms embargo on Israel and the ban on importing products from the occupied territories,” the Spanish Economy Minister wrote on X. “We continue leading the pressure on the Israeli Government in defense of peace, international security, and respect for human rights and humanitarian law.”
Spain is a supplier of small arms to Israel. Since October 7, 2023, Spain has sold $6.2 million in weapons to Israel. Earlier this month, Madrid canceled a contract to supply Tel Aviv with $825 million in rocket launchers.
The US is by far Israel’s largest weapons supplier. Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump refused to leverage US military support to Israel to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the onslaught in Gaza.
Madrid is the most vocal government in the West opposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Last week, Sánchez called for Israel to be barred from international sporting events.
“The sports organizations should consider whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep participating in international competitions. Why expel Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and not expel Israel after the invasion of Gaza?” Sanchez said. “Until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition.”
