Spain’s Parliament Considers Banning Arms Trade with Israel

Spain’s Parliament Considers Banning Arms Trade with Israel

Spain’s Parliament has voted to consider a proposal to ban all arms trade with Israel, marking a significant step in the country’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The decision comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and reflects Spain’s push for stronger measures against countries accused of human rights violations.

The motion, approved on Tuesday evening, signals a shift in Spain’s foreign policy and has sparked debates about its implications for diplomacy and security.

Background of the Proposal

The proposal to ban arms trade with Israel stems from Spain’s critical stance on Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which began escalating after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry, prompting global outrage.

Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been vocal about Israel’s actions, questioning their compliance with international humanitarian law.

Sánchez has called the number of Palestinian deaths “truly unbearable” and urged the European Union to suspend its free trade agreement with Israel.

The parliament’s vote aligns with this position, reflecting broader European sentiment to pressure Israel to end its military campaign and address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. In October 2023, Spain announced it would halt arms trade with Israel, though some contracts continued, sparking political tensions.

Reasons for the Parliamentary Decision

Spain’s decision to consider an arms trade ban is driven by both ethical concerns and domestic political dynamics.

The parliament aims to prohibit weapon sales to countries accused of genocide, explicitly naming Israel in the proposal.

This move responds to growing public and political pressure to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.

Sánchez’s Socialist-led government faces demands from its far-left coalition partner, Sumar, and other leftist and nationalist parties to uphold promises made after October 2023 to stop arms trade with Israel.

A recent controversy over a €6.6 million ammunition deal with an Israeli company, which was canceled in April 2025 after public outcry, highlighted inconsistencies in Spain’s policy, pushing lawmakers to act.

The parliament’s vote also reflects Sánchez’s broader call for Israel’s exclusion from international events, like the Eurovision Song Contest, citing its actions as comparable to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Who Initiated the Proposal

The motion was put forward by a coalition of leftist and nationalist parties in Spain’s parliament. The far-left Sumar party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, played a key role in advocating for the ban.

Sumar has consistently criticized Israel’s military actions and pressured Sánchez’s government to honor its commitment to halt arms trade.

The Spanish Communist Party, led by Enrique Santiago, also supported the initiative, emphasizing Spain’s moral obligation to avoid supporting “genocidal states.”

Podemos, another leftist party, has demanded a total embargo on Israel, citing a study showing Spain sent €5.3 million in weapons to Israel in 88 shipments up to March 2025. These parties leveraged public sentiment and coalition agreements to push the proposal forward, with Sánchez’s backing ensuring its parliamentary consideration.

Arms Trade Data with Israel

Despite Spain’s 2023 pledge to stop arms trade with Israel, data reveals continued transactions. According to a study reported by El País, Spain exported €5.3 million in weapons to Israel across 88 shipments from October 2023 to March 2025.

Additionally, Spain has purchased over €1 billion in weapon systems from Israeli firms since October 2023, including a €6.6 million deal for 15.3 million rounds of 9mm ammunition from IMI Systems, which was canceled in April 2025 after protests.

These contracts, often for essential systems or components only produced in Israel, have complicated Spain’s embargo efforts.

The parliament’s move to consider a full ban aims to close these loopholes, though critics warn of potential legal and financial consequences, such as compensation claims from Israeli companies.

Implications and Next Steps

The parliament’s vote to consider the arms ban is not a final decision but a step toward formal legislation. The proposal will now undergo further debate and scrutiny, with potential challenges from right-wing parties like VOX, who argue it undermines Spain’s security and defense capabilities.

Security experts warn that canceling contracts could disrupt supply chains for Spain’s police and military. Meanwhile, Israel has condemned Spain’s actions, with its Foreign Ministry calling the government’s stance “on the wrong side of history.”

The ban’s consideration strengthens Spain’s position as a leading European critic of Israel and may inspire similar moves in other nations, though it risks straining diplomatic ties and economic relations.

Share This Post: