Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Madrid has escalated its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, announcing a series of measures aimed at pressuring Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza. Among the most striking decisions is a ban on entry to two of Israel’s most controversial far-right ministers: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, confirmed the entry ban earlier this week, citing the ministers’ extreme positions and role in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The move marks a significant diplomatic rift between Spain and Israel, particularly given the growing international scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in the ongoing war.
In a press conference held Monday morning, Sánchez unveiled a broad package of policy decisions aimed at increasing pressure on Israel and signaling Spain’s commitment to international law and human rights. Chief among these is a royal decree that formalizes a ban on arms exports to Israel.
“We have decided to prohibit refueling tankers supplying the Israeli military from docking in our ports,” Sánchez stated. “Additionally, we are closing our airspace to any aircraft transporting weapons or ammunition to Israel.”
Spanish ports are now officially closed to any vessels carrying weapons or military systems bound for Israel. The government also announced that a draft bill will soon be introduced to enshrine this weapons embargo into Spanish law, ensuring a comprehensive and enforceable ban on military exports to the country.
These decisions come in the wake of Spain’s official recognition of the State of Palestine in May 2024, a historic shift that positioned Spain among a growing number of European countries reassessing their approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since then, the Sánchez administration has made support for Palestinian statehood and humanitarian aid to Gaza central pillars of its foreign policy.
In line with that commitment, Sánchez revealed that Spain will increase its humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including boosting funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to €10 million.
“Everything we have done so far has not been enough to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people,” Sánchez admitted. “There is an urgent need to act in pursuit of peace in the Middle East.”
He emphasized the distinction between a state defending itself and what he described as indiscriminate military actions: “There is a difference between self-defense and bombing hospitals or starving civilians,” Sánchez said, calling for a more measured and humane approach to security in the region.
Spain’s latest measures underscore a growing divide within the European Union regarding policy toward Israel, with Madrid now taking one of the most assertive stances in the bloc. As the war in Gaza drags on and the humanitarian toll continues to mount, Spain appears determined to use both its diplomatic voice and legislative tools to advocate for an end to hostilities and a just resolution for the Palestinian people.
