Madrid – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Monday that Spain will intensify its stance against Israel by prohibiting ships and aircraft destined for Israel that carry weapons from docking at Spanish ports or entering Spanish airspace, reports 24brussels.
Several European countries have recently mandated or are seeking to impose sanctions on Israel, primarily in response to its actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU is exploring various sanctions regimes, including travel bans, asset freezes, arms embargoes, and targeted measures against companies involved in Israeli settlements.
What measures has Pedro Sanchez announced against Israel?
Pedro Sanchez stated that Spain will enhance support for the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA, implementing an embargo on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
“We hope that (the measures) will serve to add pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to alleviate some of the suffering that the Palestinian population is enduring,”
Sanchez emphasized in a public address. Additionally, Spain will prohibit entry to individuals directly involved in what Sanchez termed “genocide.”
How has Israel responded to Spain’s new embargo?
In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Sanchez of attempting to shift public attention from his domestic corruption scandals, labeling the measures as “antisemitic.”
The Israeli government reacted by banning Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego, both from the far-left junior coalition partner Sumar, from entering Israel.
Spain’s actions are part of a broader strategy to diplomatically and economically pressure Israel, underscoring Madrid’s strong opposition to Israeli policies towards Palestinians. The Spanish government seeks to promote the suspension of the EU-Israel cooperation agreement, contributing to ongoing tensions in diplomatic relations.
How significant is the Spanish parliament’s weapons embargo vote?
On May 26, 2025, Spain’s Parliament passed a non-binding motion calling for a complete weapons embargo on Israel due to its military actions in Gaza.
The motion received support from 176 members of parliament, primarily from leftist and opposition parties, including the Sumar alliance, Podemos, and the Republican Left of Catalonia, while conservative members voted against it. It called for an immediate ban on exporting military-related equipment to Israel, encompassing items such as helmets, vests, and fuel.