Spain Announces Total Ban on Arms Trade with Israel

Spain has formally imposed a total arms embargo on Israel, approving a decree that bans weapons trade, defense technologies, and related goods while also blocking fuel shipments and settlement products linked to Israel.

Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Tuesday that the measure covers “a comprehensive arms embargo” on Israel, prohibiting both exports and imports of defense equipment and dual-use technologies, along with imports from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The decree also bans ships carrying fuel for the Israeli military from docking at Spanish ports and bars aircraft with defense cargo from entering Spanish airspace.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced earlier this month that Spain would roll out nine measures against Israel, including the embargo, in response to what he called “the genocide in Gaza.” The decree, which takes immediate effect, must still be ratified by parliament within 30 days under Spanish constitutional rules.

Spain’s king, Felipe VI, reinforced the government’s stance in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. He urged Israel to “stop the massacre” in Gaza and condemning the bombing of hospitals, schools, and shelters. “These are abhorrent acts that are the very opposite of everything that this forum represents. They sicken the human conscience and shame the entire international community,” he said.

Madrid’s move marks one of the strongest steps in Europe against Israel since the conflict began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, which killed 1,219 people in Israel. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has since killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.

Diplomatic ties between Spain and Israel have sharply deteriorated, with Israel accusing Madrid of waging an “antisemitic attack” and banning entry to two Spanish cabinet members. Spain’s government, meanwhile, says its policies are driven by humanitarian law, a call for a ceasefire, and the push for a two-state solution.

Sánchez, addressing an audience at Columbia University this week, said: “I do believe that we are witnessing one of the darkest and most terrible events of the 21st century unfold right before our eyes. And simply, the international community cannot remain silent and paralyzed.”