Why it matters:
Spain is preparing to take one of the strongest stances in Europe against Israel’s war in Gaza, with plans to approve a sweeping arms embargo and potentially declare Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several cabinet members personae non grata. The move signals escalating diplomatic fallout and deepening divisions within the EU over Israel’s conduct.
What they’re saying:
Sumar leader Yolanda Díaz said her alliance is working with the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party to “sever relations with the criminal Netanyahu regime,” halt all trade, and bar Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering Spain. She accused them of “incitement to genocide, forced starvation, and ethnic cleansing.”
Context:
Spain has long criticized Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez recently called Israel a “genocidal state” in parliament. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Spain would push for the EU to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel and support a bloc-wide arms embargo.
Flashback:
Spain halted arms sales to Israel shortly after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack and later expanded the freeze to include Israeli imports. Several major defense contracts were canceled in recent months.
Tensions escalate:
Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in May 2024, alongside Ireland and Norway, already strained ties with Jerusalem. Now, protests have spilled into sports: Israeli cycling team Israel, Premier Tech removed its name from race kits at the Vuelta a España after pro-Palestine demonstrations. The team cited safety concerns and said the monogram-only branding aligns with its broader visual identity.
What’s next:
If approved, Spain’s embargo would mark a significant shift in EU-Israel relations and could pressure other European governments to follow suit. The designation of Israeli officials as personae non grata would be unprecedented and likely provoke a strong diplomatic response.
Go deeper:
Spain's PM Sánchez: Europe's Failed Gaza Response Weakens Global Standing
Spanish PM Calls for Sanctions Package Against Tel Aviv
Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
