Spain’s parliament approved a non-binding motion on Tuesday, urging the government to impose an arms embargo on Israel due to its ongoing military offensive in Gaza.

The motion, which had been proposed by the leftist Sumar alliance within the ruling coalition and supported by opposition parties Podemos and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), passed with a vote of 176 to 171, as reported by El País. The conservative People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox opposed the measure.

The motion calls for a ban on exporting any materials that could enhance Israel’s military capabilities, including helmets, protective vests, and fuel with potential military use. It also advocates for reforms to Spain’s foreign trade laws to prohibit military agreements with states accused of genocide or crimes against humanity, specifically citing Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Sumar spokesperson Veronica Martinez stated: “Spain cannot cooperate with a state that commits genocide or war crimes,” emphasizing that Israel’s arms industry should not be supported amid the Gaza conflict. Podemos leader Ione Belarra went further, urging an emergency Cabinet session to issue a decree banning all arms sales to Israel. She described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the Hitler of our time” and labeled the Gaza situation “the biggest ethnic cleansing of the 21st century.”

Defense Minister Margarita Robles, speaking at an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, clarified that Spain has not purchased weapons from Israel since the Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, only acquiring protective gear like helmets and vests for Spanish security forces. However, activists protesting outside parliament highlighted Spain’s nine active contracts with Israeli arms companies, questioning the government’s transparency.

The vote reflects growing political pressure in Spain to adopt a stronger stance against Israel’s military actions and align with international calls for accountability and humanitarian protection in Gaza. (ILKHA)