Spain Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel to Halt Gaza Violence and Prevent Alleged Genocide

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Spain Announces Sweeping Measures Targeting israel Amid Gaza Crisis

Madrid – Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced a robust package of nine new measures Monday designed to increase pressure on the Israeli government to halt operations in Gaza, including a complete embargo on arms sales.

Sánchez, leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE), prefaced the declaration by acknowledging the past suffering endured by the Jewish people, referencing the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain. He affirmed Spain’s condemnation of initial attacks by Hamas while drawing a stark distinction between self-defense and what he termed an “unjustifiable attack on the civilian population.”

The Prime Minister explicitly referred to reports from United Nations rapporteurs describing the situation in Gaza as a potential genocide, citing figures indicating 60,000 Palestinian deaths and two million displaced individuals, half of whom are children. “This is not self-defense, it is indeed not even an attack – it is the extermination of a defenseless people and a violation of every international law,” he stated.

New Measures Detailed

The nine measures, pending legislative and cabinet approval, are comprehensive in scope:

• A complete and legally binding prohibition on the purchase, sale, and transit of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.
• A ban on vessels carrying fuel destined for the Israeli military from utilizing Spanish ports.
• Denial of Spanish airspace access to all state aircraft transporting military equipment to Israel.
• Entry prohibition for individuals directly implicated in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes committed in Gaza.
• A ban on importing products originating from illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
• curtailment of consular services for Spanish citizens residing within those settlements.
• Increased support for the Palestinian Authority.
• An additional €10 million in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
• A significant increase in overall humanitarian aid for Gaza, aiming to reach a total of €150 million by 2026.

“spain does not have nuclear bombs.We cannot stop the israeli offensive alone, but we will not stop trying,” Sánchez conceded, acknowledging the limitations of the measures. These actions build upon earlier steps towards an arms embargo, and support for international efforts including the International Criminal Court’s inquiry and South Africa’s genocide case before the International Court of Justice.

measure	Impact
Arms Embargo	Restricts Israel’s access to European weaponry.
Port Restrictions	Limits Israel’s fuel supply for military operations.
Airspace Ban	Hinders military equipment transport.
Individual Bans	Holds individuals accountable for alleged crimes.

Several Spanish politicians have taken self-reliant action in support of Palestine, including former Social Rights Minister Ione Belarra, who pushed for International Criminal Court prosecution. Former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau previously severed ties with Israel, citing allegations of apartheid.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, including activists such as Mandla Mandela and Susan Sarandon, departed from Barcelona last month and received a welcome in Tunis as it attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, challenging the Israeli blockade.

Israel responded with its standard accusation of antisemitism, announcing a ban on Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego. Díaz responded with defiance, stating, “It is a point of pride that a genocidal state is banning me.”

Spain later recalled its ambassador from tel Aviv, with the Foreign Ministry asserting it would not be intimidated in its defense of peace, international law, and human rights. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 75% of Spanish respondents hold negative views of Israel.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 64,522 Palestinian deaths sence October 2023, with experts believing the actual number is considerably higher. A famine, characterized as “complete” by aid agencies, is threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands, exacerbated by Israel’s siege.

Did You No? Spain formally recognized Palestinian statehood in May 2024, joining a growing number of European nations doing so.

Pro Tip: Stay informed about the evolving situation in Gaza by consulting reputable international news sources and humanitarian organizations.