Spain axes €700 mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
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Spain has canceled over €1 billion in Israeli arms deals, formalized a full arms embargo, and expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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Undated photo of the Elbit SILAM rocket launcher systems
Spain has taken one of its strongest steps yet against "Israel's" war on Gaza, canceling more than a billion euros in weapons contracts linked to Israeli companies and vowing to cut military ties with Tel Aviv.
An official document seen by AFP confirmed the termination of a contract worth nearly €700 million ($825 million) for 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems, built on the PULS platform designed by "Israel's" Elbit Systems. The decision was made public on September 9 through Spain's state contracts platform.
The following day, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced his government would enshrine into law a full ban on arms sales or purchases involving "Israel", declaring that the measures are aimed at stopping what he openly called "the genocide in Gaza."
The decree also prohibits Israeli-bound ships carrying fuel or weaponry from docking in Spanish ports and bars aircraft carrying defense material from transiting Spanish airspace.
Madrid has also canceled a €287 million deal for 168 anti-tank missile launchers manufactured under Israeli license. According to La Vanguardia, officials are now reviewing additional agreements as part of a broader plan to phase out Israeli weapons and technology from Spain's armed forces.
Spain confronts 'Israel'
Sánchez has played an important role as one of Europe's most outspoken critics of "Israel's" genocide in Gaza. He has consistently condemned the bombing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals and schools, calling the assault “the extermination of a defenseless people and a violation of every international law.”
Spain has also increased humanitarian funding for Gaza and boosted contributions to UNRWA, positioning itself as a leading European voice demanding accountability.
Relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv have unraveled since Spain recognized the State of Palestine in 2024. "Israel" has withdrawn its ambassador, while Spain last week recalled its own envoy after fresh confrontations over Sánchez's new measures. The rift widened further when Madrid called for "Israel" to be banned from international sporting competitions, echoing the treatment of Russia after Ukraine, a demand that gained visibility after pro-Palestinian protests forced the cancellation of La Vuelta cycling race’s final stage in Madrid.
Read more: US voices concern over Spain's restrictions on shipments to 'Israel'
The Delàs Center, a Barcelona-based peace research institute, estimated in April that Spain had signed 46 contracts worth over $1 billion with Israeli firms since the Gaza war began. The government's move to dismantle these ties reflects mounting public pressure in Spain to end complicity in "Israel's" atrocities and redirect support toward the Palestinian people and humanitarian aid for Gaza.
