The Spanish government assures that the Ministry of Defense no longer uses Pegasus.

MadridThe Ministry of Defense is prepared to assume the decree for the total arms embargo on Israel that was published this Wednesday in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force this Thursday, or at least that's what Spanish government sources indicate, who assure that in July the ministry headed by Margarita Robles achieved "zero dependence" on Israeli technology. "The Ministry of Defense does not use Israeli technology today," indicate sources from Pedro Sánchez's executive.

Although these sources do not comment on any specific company and, therefore, avoid specifying names for security reasons - there are issues that affect the State's intelligence services - this would include a break with Pegasus, the world's best-known spyware created by the Israeli company. In the State, Pegasus captured all the media attention, but also political attention, when Citizen Lab revealed that dozens of Catalan politicians and activists involved in the Process,Among them, former President Pere Aragonès, had been infected with this software in order to be spied on by the Spanish government.

The same sources assure that the Ministry of Defense "has already canceled all contractual commitments, of any type, that involve Israeli technology." "The [arms] embargo on Israel includes all technologies of Israeli origin, all of them, absolutely all of them," they reiterate. The central government explains that this technological "disconnection" is accompanied by the termination of arms contracts that involve products manufactured in Israel.

Alternatives

In parallel with this process of "technological disconnection [with Israel]," the Ministry of Defense has begun searching for alternatives, some of which are already being "implemented," according to the Spanish government, to replace this Israeli-branded technology. "We have reached a phase that we have called the reconversion of [technological] programs," indicate sources from the Moncloa.

This reconversion has been carried out in conjunction with Spanish companies directly, but also indirectly, linked to the defense sector, and aims to "guarantee" that the State's security forces and bodies "do not have any supply problems [of material]." In fact, those in the defense industry see the decree as an "opportunity" for these companies in the State, especially at a time when the Spanish government has opened the tap on defense spending, business sources tell ARA. The impact of the embargo on the material currently used by the army and police is one of the arguments the PP has used to express its distrust of the decree. For the moment, the Popular Party has not commented on how it will vote when the decree reaches the Congress of Deputies.

Protection against claims

An example of this disconnect is the Spike missile launchers. These incorporated Israeli technology, so the State has canceled their acquisition and is now seeking a new system. According to the Spanish government, the intention is for it to be developed in Spain, Europe, or an allied country. "For the Ministry of Defense, with the approved decree, [this contract] is no longer possible, and that is why the program has been canceled," they state. Regarding possible claims from companies for these breaches of contract, the government assures that it has not received any and that it is "legally protected."

However, the decree not only affects the public sphere and, therefore, any contracts that the Ministry of Defense may have, but the embargo also includes the private sector: Spanish companies, but also companies with foreign capital. For example, subsidiaries of a multinational, even if it is Israeli, the government assures. "The decree is very clear: any material [weapons or dual-use material] or technology originating in Israel or destined for Israel is prohibited [to the State]. Therefore, it is not possible in any way for a Spanish company, or one owned by a foreign company, to use Israeli technology," reiterate Spanish government sources.

Organizations' suspicion

However, some pro-Palestinian organizations are not satisfied with the government's proposal. For example, they lack clarity in the inspection protocols or verification mechanisms regarding the movement of ships or planes with potential military equipment. They also criticize the "a la carte exceptions" that the Council of Ministers can make and point out that other collaborations with Israeli companies beyond the military and security sectors are not prohibited. "All possible legal leeway has been exhausted," First Vice President and Minister of Finance María Jesús Montero argued this Wednesday.

Uncertain vote in Congress

Now the decree must be voted on in Congress, where the Spanish government still lacks the votes. From the outset, ERC and Podemos have already warned that they view the proposed embargo as insufficient. "It's an embargo," they said. fake",Podemos sources have indicated. "I see it in a bad light, and it shows that we still have a long way to go before the PSOE approves a real embargo," said Gabriel Rufián, ERC spokesperson in Congress, this Wednesday morning. Rufián has already anticipated that they will request that the Council of Ministers' exception not be included and took the opportunity to focus on another partner, Junts: "It will also depend on Junts, like everything else, and I would say that I haven't heard them talk about Israel," he said. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised that he will open negotiations with his partners. "Each one will have to answer for their vote," he stated at a press conference at the UN.