"Defending one's country and society is one thing, bombing hospitals and starving children is quite another," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared on 8/9 while announcing the permanent ban on arms and ammunition transfers to Israel.
This embargo is part of a broader package of measures by the Spanish government to "end the genocide in Gaza." Fuel tankers destined for the Israeli military will be barred from Spanish ports, and aircraft transporting military supplies to Israel will be prohibited from flying over Spanish airspace.
Anyone "directly involved in the genocide, human rights violations and war crimes in the Gaza Strip" will be banned from entering Spanish territory. Madrid will also ban the import of products from "illegal settlements" in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Mr. Sanchez also announced new cooperative projects in agriculture, food security, and medical aid to support the Palestinian Authority, along with additional humanitarian funds for Palestinians.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at a press conference in Madrid on 27/7. Photo: AFP |
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at a press conference in Madrid on 27/7. Photo: AFP
According to Mr. Sanchez, Israel has the right to exist and defend itself, but not the right to "annihilate a defenseless population." He emphasized Madrid's responsibility to do everything possible to prevent "what the UN special rapporteur and many experts consider genocide."
Mr. Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken European Union (EU) leaders in criticizing Israel regarding the war in Gaza. He is also the highest-ranking leader in Europe to describe the conflict as "genocide." His government's recognition of the State of Palestine last year angered Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Spain after the announcement of the arms embargo, accusing Mr. Sanchez of trying to "divert attention from serious corruption scandals" in his own country.
Mr. Saar declared that Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego would be banned from entering Israel.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry subsequently recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv due to "defamatory accusations against Spain and unacceptable measures against two of our government officials."
According to health authorities in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli campaign has so far killed at least 64,522 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
Huyen Le (AFP, Politico)
