Spain Declares Arms Embargo on Israel Amid Escalating Tensions
Spain formalizes an arms embargo on Israel, halting all military exports. The largely symbolic move comes as a response to the war in Gaza and further strains bilateral ties.
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Spain has officially declared an arms embargo on Israel, a move that formalizes its stance against military support for Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The embargo, detailed in a statement from the Spanish Defense Ministry, halts all arms exports to Israel, aligning with Spain's earlier decisions to cancel specific deals, such as a $325 million purchase of anti-tank missiles from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in June 2025.
Additionally, Spain stopped a contract to buy ammunition from an Israeli firm in October 2024, widening its pledge not to engage in arms sales with Israel since the conflict's onset, as reported by Reuters on October 29, 2024. These actions were part of a broader critique of Israel's military campaign, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging EU sanctions and an arms embargo due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Despite the embargo, the financial impact appears limited. Annual arms shipments from Spain to Israel average around $580,000, a relatively small figure compared to Israel's overall defense imports, which reached a record $13.1 billion in 2024, as stated by the Israeli Defense Ministry in June 2024. This low volume means Spain's decision is largely symbolic nature of Spain's decision, and aims to pressure Israel internationally rather than significantly disrupt its military capabilities.
The embargo comes as Spain navigates complex diplomatic waters. In May 2024, Spain recognized Palestine as a state, a move that drew backlash from Israel, which recalled its ambassador and accused Madrid of supporting terrorism. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has been vocal about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing it as a "true genocide" in January 2024, further straining bilateral ties.
Internationally, Spain's action aligns with growing calls for accountability, though it stands in contrast to other EU members like Germany, which has continued arms exports to Israel, albeit with scrutiny. The UN Human Rights Office has also criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, demanding investigations into alleged "war crimes", which adds to the pressure on European nations to respond.
Israel's response to the embargo has not been detailed publicly, but the move is likely to exacerbate tensions, especially given recent IDF operations like Operation Gideon’s Chariots Phase II in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas infrastructure.