Spain Enacts Law to Embargo Arms Trade with Israel
In a significant move, Spain's parliament has voted 178 to 169 to enshrine in law an arms embargo on Israel, aiming to end what Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez terms as the genocide in Gaza.
Historical Context and Law Details
The law, backed by Sánchez, bans all exports of defence equipment, products, or technology to Israel and their import into Spain. The embargo also applies to the transit of jet fuel with potential military use, and bars advertising products coming from Israeli settlements.
The embargo was initially introduced by Sánchez in September, following Israel's assault on Gaza. It has been in effect since October 2023, and was officially announced on September 8, 2024. The recent vote consolidates into law
the previous weapons ban.
Parliament's Deliberation
While the government does not hold a majority in parliament, it secured crucial support from members of the left-wing Podemos party, leading to the passage of the law. However, it faced opposition from the conservative People’s Party led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
Prime Minister Sánchez addressed the opposition, stating, “The government proposed a ban targeting Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to stop the genocide in Gaza. You voted against it.”
Implications and Exceptions
This move by Spanish lawmakers is seen as part of Spain's broader policy to pressure Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza. The law does, however, provide for exceptions if anything is deemed harmful to the Spanish national interest.
According to Al Jazeera, the law now forbids Spain from selling any weapons to Israel, effectively ending all trade of arms, defence equipment, or technologies between the two nations.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The arms embargo comes in the backdrop of an escalating conflict in the region. According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), children have paid the heaviest price in the crisis, with a child getting hurt or dying every 17 minutes in Gaza. In the two years of war, 64,000 children have reportedly been killed or maimed.
The law now stands as Spain's official stance against Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, marking a significant shift in the nation's foreign policy.