ALWAGHT- The Spanish government has canceled a contract to procure ammunition for its Civil Guard from an Israeli company, in response to the Israeli regime's ongoing actions in Gaza.
The Spanish government has reiterated its commitment to not sell weapons to Israel since the escalation of the armed conflict in Gaza, as announced by the Interior Ministry. They have initiated the cancellation of a contract for the purchase of ammunition from an Israeli company and stated that Israeli firms will be excluded from any outstanding tenders. The Spanish Civil Guard had previously agreed to acquire over 15 million nine-millimeter rounds from Guardian LTD Israel for $6.48 million, but the Defense Ministry has halted all arms purchases from Israel following the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023.
In response to the ongoing conflict, hundreds of Spanish intellectuals and artists have urged Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to impose an arms embargo on Israel. Over 300 notable figures from the media, entertainment, and academic sectors expressed their concerns regarding Spain’s continued arms trade with Israel, calling for a complete suspension of military equipment transactions. They highlighted the serious implications of maintaining military relations with Israel amid the conflict.
On October 14, Sanchez called for other EU members to suspend the bloc’s free trade agreement with Israel, emphasizing the need for the European Commission to address the formal request from Spain and Ireland to halt the association agreement if human rights violations are confirmed. Spain was among several countries, including Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia, that recognized Palestine as a state in late May, reflecting its support for Palestinian rights.
Additionally, Spain has taken steps to engage in diplomatic discussions to resolve the conflict. In September, Madrid hosted a high-level meeting with Muslim and European nations aimed at finding ways to end Israel’s war on Gaza and establish a timeline for a two-state solution. Spain has also been proactive in international legal forums, becoming the first European nation to support the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. As the situation in Gaza worsens, with over 43,020 Palestinian casualties reported since October 2023, calls for effective international action to address the crisis continue to grow.
