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Rabat – Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has announced a series of measures aimed at increasing pressure on Israel to end its genocide in Gaza, which he described as “exterminating a defenseless people.”
Speaking in Madrid on Monday, Sanchez said Spain would ban military equipment sales with Israel, block the use of Spanish ports and airspace for transporting fuel or weapons to the Israeli army, and forbid entry to individuals “directly involved in the genocide.” He also pledged more humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
“Protecting your country and your society is one thing, but bombing hospitals and killing innocent boys and girls with hunger is another thing entirely,” Sanchez said.
The Spanish leader stated that while Israel has the right to exist and defend itself, the “military operation” in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack had turned into “a new wave of illegal occupations and an unjustifiable attack against the Palestinian civilian population.” He said the world was witnessing “extermination” and a “massacre” in Gaza.
Spain’s measures include a law formalizing the ban on arms sales and purchases with Israel, blocking Spanish ports and airspace for transporting weapons or fuel to Israel, travel bans on those linked to the war crimes, and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Sanchez admitted these steps may not be enough to stop the genocide, but said they would help put pressure on Netanyahu’s government, relieve some suffering, and show that Spain chose “the right side of history.”
Israel reacted with fury and accused Sanchez of spreading “wild and hateful rhetoric” and trying to distract from Spain’s domestic problems. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that two Spanish ministers, Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego, were banned from entering Israel due to their criticism of its actions in Gaza.
Last week, Sanchez declared that Europe’s response to the genocide in Gaza is a “failure,” pointing to “double standards” compared to the war in Ukraine.
“It is a failure, absolutely,” Sanchez said. “The world is looking at the EU and also at Western society and asking: ‘Why are you doing double standards when it comes to Ukraine and when it comes to Gaza?’”
Spain’s move mirrors similar rhetoric from Western countries that are increasingly taking a stance for Palestine, although many critics argue that these actions are too little too late, as the genocide is in its 23rd month.
