Madrid. Taking a big step in support of Palestine, Spain has canceled the arms deal with Israel. The Spanish Interior Ministry also stated that the decision expands the scope of Spain’s pledge not to sell arms to Israel, to include purchases. Earlier, Spain had banned the sale of arms to Israel. Not only this, Spain also did not allow a cargo ship carrying weapons from an unknown country to stop at its port. Cadena Ser radio previously reported that the Guardia Civil police force had agreed to buy more than 15 million 9-mm rounds from an Israeli company called Guardian Ltd. for six million euros. Spain had announced in October 2023 itself that it would not make any kind of arms deal with Israel. He took this decision after Israel’s attack on Gaza Strip. Spain has also accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. Spain has been one of the EU’s harshest critics of Israel’s campaign in Gaza and more recently in southern Lebanon. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged other EU members to respond to Spain and Ireland’s request to suspend the bloc’s free trade agreement because of Israel’s actions.
Spain openly opposed Israel
The Spanish government remains committed to not selling arms to the Israeli state since the beginning of the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Spanish Interior Ministry said. The statement further said, although in this case it is the acquisition of ammunition, the Ministry of Interior has initiated the administrative process to cancel the purchase. Israeli companies will also be excluded from any pending tenders, the ministry said.