Spain Cancels Israeli Arms Deal Amid Gaza War Crimes Accusations

Watan-A government source said on Thursday that the Spanish government has unilaterally canceled a deal to purchase ammunition for the Interior Ministry from an Israeli company. This decision came after pressure from the left-wing Sumar coalition, the junior partner in Spain’s ruling government.

Spain has consistently criticized Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories. In October 2023, it pledged to halt all arms sales to Israel in response to its war on Hamas in Gaza. Later in the year, Spain expanded that commitment to include halting purchases of military equipment from Israeli firms.

Spain Cancels Arms Deal with Israel, Strongly Opposes Military Actions in Gaza

The “deal” in question was a government-level arms procurement agreement between Spain’s Interior Ministry and an Israeli defense company. Deals like this typically involve negotiations over pricing, quantities, and timelines for delivery. By canceling this deal, Spain is not only halting a financial transaction but also sending a political message.

On April 23, Spain reaffirmed its strong stance against Israeli military actions in Gaza. Spanish officials, including Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, emphasized that Spain “will not remain indifferent” to the Israeli army’s operations in Gaza, which they have described as disproportionate and in violation of international humanitarian law. Spain has called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and has been urging the European Union to adopt a tougher stance against Israel.

Israeli War Crimes in Gaza

 Numerous human rights organizations and international bodies have accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, particularly during its ongoing war with Hamas. These accusations include:

• Indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas.

• Targeting of medical facilities, schools, and UN shelters.

• Use of starvation as a weapon of war, by blocking aid and destroying food supplies.

• Collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population, which is illegal under international law.

UN investigators, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have all raised serious concerns. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently hearing a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide—a case that Spain has not officially joined, but continues to monitor closely.