Spain-Israel relations plummet to a new low following Sanchez's imposed restrictions
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, Spain has become a notable player, taking a firm stance against Israel's actions. The Israeli Army recently declared that it controls 40% of Gaza city and warned that the military operation will continue. This development has sparked a series of responses from the Spanish government.
President Pedro Sánchez announced nine measures against the "genocide in Gaza" to ensure "Spain is on the right side of history." Sánchez has been vocal about the situation, stating that "what is happening in Gaza has no name, but it does have a word: genocide." He emphasized that he will work to ensure that "Spain does not participate in an exercise of the banalization of evil" and will continue to defend the two-state solution.
One of the measures includes the legal consolidation of the embargo on the sale of arms to Israel. Spain has also prohibited entry for those who "directly participate in the genocide," and banned ships transporting fuels destined for the Israeli armed forces from passing through Spanish ports.
The Spanish Prime Minister has emphasized throughout his speeches that Spain "will always support Israel's right to exist and guarantee its security," while condemning Hamas' attacks. However, this stance has been met with criticism from political parties such as PP and Vox, who accuse Sánchez of applauding Hamas and accuse him of antisemitism.
Podemos shows its distrust of Sánchez's plan, accusing him of lying about the embargo on the purchase and sale of arms. Gabriel Rufián, spokesperson for ERC in Congress, reproaches the late response of the Spanish government and recalls that "Spain's participation in the arms trade with Israel was negotiated for months."
Yolanda Díaz, Minister of Social Rights, calls for relations with Israel to be broken and applauds the step taken by the Government politically and symbolically. BNG qualifies the government's measures as insufficient and demands the immediate breaking of all relations with Israel and the imposition of sanctions.
The diplomatic tug-of-war between Spain and Israel is not new. In 2024, Israel recalled its ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, and Ana Salomón after the announcement that the Government was going to recognize the Palestinian State. Sánchez has recalled the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ana Salomón Pérez, in response to personal sanctions against two ministers by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who accused Spain of "antisemitism" and "hostile conduct."
Spain has also taken a strong stance internationally, presenting a resolution in the UN to request a ceasefire in Gaza with unusually harsh language against Israel. The EU Commission under Ursula von der Leyen announced personal sanctions against "extremist" Israeli government ministers and proposed suspending certain trade agreements and payments to Israel due to its actions in Gaza. However, this decision has met with criticism from some German politicians and Israel, which sees these measures as damaging to EU-Israel relations and strengthening Hamas.
Israel has not been slow to respond to the Spanish government, accusing it of "antisemitism" and "demonization, delegitimization, and double standards." Spain has summoned the representative of Israel in Madrid for the second time due to the arrest of two Spanish citizens on the Handala boat.
The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with Israeli forces having killed at least 64,368 Gazans since the war began, according to the health authorities' count. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and the international community, including Spain, continues to grapple with how best to respond.
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