The arms embargo on Israel includes the revocation of ongoing contracts.

MadridWith Pedro Sánchez at the United Nations assembly denouncing the "genocide" in Palestine, the Spanish government approved this Tuesday the royal decree for the total embargo of arms to Israel, two weeks after he announced it. the Spanish presidentThe Minister of Economy and Trade, Carlos Cuerpo, has confirmed that it will affect all defense and security equipment, including dual-use equipment—which can be used in both the military and civilian spheres. Thus, the export and import of weapons to or from the country headed by Benjamin Netanyahu will be prohibited.

A few months ago, the Ministry of Defense considered it difficult to implement a total arms embargo, and the State's executive branch itself called for a distinction between strictly weapons and non-weapons. Now, everything is being lumped together, and the revocation of all ongoing purchase and sale contracts with Israeli companies has also been decreed. This issue generated serious crises within the coalition in the State when it was discovered that authorizations were in progress despite the fact that the Spanish government had publicly committed to not trading arms with Israel since October 7, 2023.

national". Cuerpo has explained that foreign trade regulations already contemplate that an agreement of ministers can authorize a specific exception to this prohibition for reasons of general interest, and that is what is established. It is intended, he said, for "exceptional situations that have not been foreseen or may arise throughout the implementation" of the embargo.

Two weeks ago, the increase in humanitarian aid for Palestine announced by Sánchez was legally authorized, with other measures pending, such as the denial of requests for trafficking of fuel for airplanes destined for Israel. Cuerpo specified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already denied licenses for trafficking of products, but that to "close the circle" it was also necessary to regulate fuel, which requires a special license and is not included in the foreign trade regulations.

Quarterly appearance

The government's commitment includes a quarterly appearance by Sánchez in Congress to report on the implementation of these measures. For example, one of the issues to be analyzed is whether loopholes exist and products are diverted that could end up in Israel through other countries as a result of the customs union. Government sources admit that work has been necessary in recent weeks to draft a royal decree that is both legally rigorous and enforceable. In this regard, they acknowledge that there are "limits," such as with the use of the Rota and Morón bases by the United States, whose operation is governed by a treaty that will not be modified.

As Sánchez previously announced, the decree law also includes a ban on the import of products from illegal settlements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will draft a proposal for postal codes, which will then be approved by the head of the Tax Agency to have a complete list that can be sent to customs officials and prevent the passage of products. Furthermore, advertising for the sale of goods originating from these settlements is also prohibited.

The royal decree must be ratified in Congress within the next 30 days, so the Spanish government will once again have to convince the groups. Sumar has already warned that it wants to introduce modifications: on the one hand, to expand the scope of the embargo, and on the other, to tweak the Council of Ministers' ability to make exceptions. Until it is reformed, the group led by Yolanda Díaz says, they will reject any proposal for an exception to the embargo.

From the opposition, the PP has avoided commenting on the arms embargo decree, pending the release of its details. Its spokesperson in Congress, Ester Muñoz, has defended this caution because she sees it as possibly simply "posturing to please its partners," she reports. Andrea ZamoranoIn any case, Muñoz stressed that it is a "very complex" issue that should not be "trivialized" because "many of the components used by the [Spanish] armed forces are Israeli." "I ask that the defense and security of the people who are risking their lives not be trifled with," he said at a press conference in the lower house.