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Al Manar
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Spain Takes Bold Stand: Parliament Votes to Consider Israeli Arms Trade Ban
Spain's parliament on Tuesday passed a non-binding motion calling on the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel in response to its military operations in Gaza. The motion, introduced by the leftist Sumar alliance, part of the ruling coalition, along with opposition parties Podemos and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), was approved by a vote of 176-171, El Pais reported. Spain's parliament passed a non-binding resolution on Tuesday calling for a full arms embargo on Israel, citing its actions in Gaza as genocide. The motion, approved by a slim majority of 176 to 171, urges the government to halt all military-related exports, including protective… — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 21, 2025 The conservative People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox voted against the proposal, while all other parties supported it. Lawmakers in favor applauded the motion, which urges the Spanish government to ban the exports of any material that could strengthen the Israeli military, including helmets, vests, and fuel with potential military use. The motion also recommends reforming Spain's foreign trade legislation to prohibit military agreements with any state accused of committing genocide or crimes against humanity, specifically citing Israel's offensive on Gaza. Sumar spokesperson Veronica Martinez said Spain 'cannot cooperate with a state that commits genocide or war crimes,' adding that Israel's arms industry 'must not be supported under the current circumstances in Gaza.' Podemos leader Ione Belarra called on the Spanish Cabinet to convene an emergency session this week to issue a formal decree banning arms sales to Israel. 'Palestinians cannot wait any longer. Netanyahu is killing, bombing, starving, and depriving them of medical care. What is happening is the biggest ethnic cleansing of the 21st century,' she said, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'the Hitler of our time.' Defense Minister Margarita Robles, attending an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, reiterated that Spain has not engaged in arms trade with Israel since the onset of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023. 'We are not buying weapons from Israel, and this must be clearly stated. Since October 7, not a single weapon has been purchased from 'Israel'. Only protective gear like helmets and vests for Spanish security forces has been procured,' Robles said. However, civil society groups demonstrating outside parliament claimed that Spain still maintains nine active contracts with Israeli arms companies and continues to pay millions of euros under those agreements.
Days of Palestine
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Spanish Parliament Passes Motion to Impose Arms Embargo on Israel Over Gaza Genocide
DayofPal– Spain's parliament on Tuesday approved a non-binding motion urging the government to impose a full arms embargo on Israel in response to its ongoing military operations in Gaza, intensifying calls for a more assertive stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza enclave. The motion, spearheaded by the leftist Sumar alliance, a member of the ruling coalition, garnered support from other progressive parties, including Podemos and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC). It was adopted by a narrow majority of 176 votes in favor to 171 against, according to El País. Conservative lawmakers from the People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party voted against the measure, while all other parliamentary groups backed the initiative. Applause broke out among its supporters as the motion passed. While not legally binding, the resolution calls on the Spanish government to immediately halt all exports of materials that could bolster the Israeli military, including protective equipment such as helmets and vests, as well as dual-use items like fuel that may serve military purposes. Beyond the arms embargo, the motion advocates for a broader overhaul of Spain's foreign trade legislation. It recommends prohibiting military cooperation with any state credibly accused of committing genocide or crimes against humanity, explicitly naming Israel's military campaign in Gaza as grounds for such restrictions. 'Spain cannot collaborate with a state that commits genocide or war crimes,' said Veronica Martínez, spokesperson for Sumar. 'Under the current conditions in Gaza, the Israeli arms industry must not be supported.' Podemos leader Ione Belarra went further, calling for an emergency Cabinet meeting this week to issue a formal government decree suspending all arms exports to Israel. 'Palestinians cannot wait any longer,' she said. 'Netanyahu is killing, bombing, starving, and denying them medical care. This is the largest ethnic cleansing of the 21st century. He is the Hitler of our time.' Meanwhile, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, speaking from Brussels where she was attending an EU Foreign Affairs Council, pushed back against claims of ongoing arms transactions. 'Let me be very clear: Spain has not purchased a single weapon from Israel since October 7,' she stated. 'The only items acquired have been non-lethal protective gear for our own security forces.' However, human rights organizations and demonstrators gathered outside parliament expressed skepticism, accusing the government of failing to sever existing defense contracts with Israeli companies. Activist groups claim that at least nine military agreements remain in force, with Spain continuing to pay millions of euros under those deals. The motion reflects growing pressure within Spain's political establishment to align its foreign policy with its public rhetoric on human rights. While the final decision rests with the executive, Tuesday's vote signals a significant shift in the parliamentary mood amid international scrutiny of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Shortlink for this post:
