The Spanish parliament has approved a law imposing an arms embargo on Israel. The decree bans all exports of defense equipment, products, or technology to Israel and blocks imports of such goods from the country. It also outlaws the transit of aviation fuel with potential military use and bans advertising products originating from Israeli settlements.
The embargo passed with 178 votes in favor and 169 against, with the far-left Podemos party providing crucial support despite earlier criticism of the measure. Spain’s government had already prohibited weapons sales to Israel following the Hamas pogrom on October 7th, 2023, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, with 251 hostages also taken.
Spain’s leftist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez then moved to “consolidate in law” the embargo as part of a broader effort to impose restrictions on Israel, despite strong objections from Tel Aviv. The law allows the Spanish government to make exceptions for dual-use defense equipment if enforcing the ban would harm national interests.
The decision triggered condemnation from Israel, which had already withdrawn its ambassador to Madrid in 2024 following Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state. Israeli officials called the embargo “a cynical and reprehensible decision”.
