Spain Approves Total Arms Embargo To Israel, Warns Netanyahu About Gaza

Israeli Military/DOK Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

JAKARTA - The Spanish House of Ministers approved a "total" arms embargo on Israel, which increased pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu's Zionist government over the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza.

Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said the decision was "further evidence of the government's political commitment and the international leadership of Spain and the prime minister to respect human rights," El Pais reported as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, September 23.

The embargo, previously announced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, transcends previously imposed partial restrictions and includes bans on arms exports, fuel transits, and imports of products and services from occupied areas.

"Spain has previously implemented partial bans, such as Slovenia, Belgium and the Netherlands. But with this move, we became the first country to ban arms exports, fuel transits, and imports ... that paved the way for the European Union," said left-wing coalition partner Sumar in a statement.

However, Podemos leader, Ione Belarra, criticized the timing of his implementation, saying that the move was too late. "The arms embargo was enforced before the war crimes were committed, not after 60,000 innocent victims," he said.

The conservative opposition of the People's Party (PP) is still unclear about its support for the embargo, with parliamentary spokesman Ester Munoz saying his party will wait to see the text of the royal decree.

Munoz warned of a potential risk to Spain's "security" by recording "many components" used by Spanish security forces from Israel.

"I ask that this problem is not underestimated; this is a complex problem," he added.

Government spokesman and Minister of Education Pliar Alegria reiterated Spain's stance in recognizing Palestine, given Sanchez's statement at the United Nations.

"Spain has done so in May, and now we see many countries such as France, Portugal, Canada, Britain, and Australia following suit. Spain has played a key role from the start in supporting coexistence through a two-state solution," said Alegria.

Spain had previously launched a nine-point sanctions package against Israel on September 9, but postponed approval of the full arms embargo and related measures for "technical and legal reasons" until Tuesday.