Spain, Israel ties hit new low after Madrid moves ‘to stop Gaza genocide’
Madrid’s measures, including an arms embargo on Israel, prompt Israel to accuse Spain of antisemitism and bar two ministers from entry
Israel on Monday accused Spain of antisemitism and barred two government ministers from entry after Spanish leader Pedro Sanchez announced measures aimed at stopping what he called “the genocide in Gaza”.
The spat marks a new low in relations over the devastating Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory, launched after an unprecedented Hamas attack in Israel in 2023.
Sanchez, one of the most virulent critics of Israel’s military campaign, said the nine measures aimed to “stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators and support the Palestinian population”.
The Socialist prime minister said his government would approve a decree to “consolidate in law” a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel, a measure it had applied since the start of the conflict.
Boats carrying fuel destined for the Israeli military would be barred from Spanish ports and Spain would act to reduce the transport of military equipment to Israel by air, Sanchez said in a televised address.