What does Spain embargo on Israel mean?
Spain’s embargo on Israel refers to a series of actions taken by the Spanish government to restrict arms sales and purchases with Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Here are the key aspects of Spain’s embargo:
Arms Sales Suspension
Spain has suspended all arms sales to Israel since October 7, 2023. This means that:
• No new authorizations for arms exports to Israel are being granted.
• Existing contracts authorized before October 7 have been put on hold.
Arms Purchases Freeze
In addition to halting arms sales, Spain has also frozen the purchase of weapons from Israel. This includes:
• Suspension of all contracts for acquiring Israeli armaments since October 7, 2023.
• An exception is made for maintenance work on existing equipment.
Port Restrictions
Spain has implemented measures to prevent the transit of military goods bound for Israel through its ports:
• The Spanish foreign ministry has stated that it rejects all requests for ships carrying military material destined for Israel to call at Spanish ports.
• In May 2024, Spanish authorities turned away a ship carrying weapons bound for Israel, marking the first such incident under the new policy.
Specific Actions
• Spain canceled a €6.5 million contract with an Israeli military company to buy ammunition for the country’s militarized police.
• Recently, Spain denied harbor to two ships operated by Maersk, believed to be carrying weapons to Israel from New York.
Political Context
The embargo is part of a broader criticism by Spain of Israel’s actions in Gaza:
• Spain has been a prominent critic in Europe of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
• The Spanish government has urged other EU members to suspend the bloc’s free trade agreement with Israel.
• In May 2024, Spain, along with Norway and Ireland, formally recognized a unified Palestinian state.
The embargo has faced some internal political pressure, with left-wing parties calling for even stronger measures, including breaking diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. The Spanish government is investigating claims that some military shipments may have violated the embargo by transiting through Spanish ports.
