Spain approves arms embargo on Israel

Spain’s parliament has approved the enshrinement in law of a total arms embargo on Israel, permanently banning the sale of weapons, dual-use technology and military equipment.

Parliament backed the decree announced in September by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The embargo was passed with 178 votes in favor and 169 against.

The support of far-left party Podemos helped swing the vote.

“Israel’s response to the terrible attacks committed by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023, has ended up becoming an indiscriminate attack against the Palestinian population that the majority of experts have called genocide,” the preamble of the law reads.

It bans all exports of defense equipment, products, or technology to Israel and imports of such goods from the country.

The decree also outlaws the transit of aviation fuel with potential military use and bans the advertising of products coming from Israeli settlements.

However, the text allows the government to make exceptions for dual-use defense equipment “if the application of the ban harmed general national interests.”