US arms shipment to 'Israel' sparks diplomatic row with Spain
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Spain imposed an embargo to halt its involvement in arms shipments to "Israel" amid evidence of genocide and war crimes in Gaza.
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The destroyer USS Oscar Austin arrives at Naval Station Rota, Spain, completing its homeport shift from Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Oct. 15, 2024. (Drace Wilson/US Navy)
The Intercept revealed on Tuesday that the US Department of Defense sent over a thousand tons of ammunition to "Israel" on a ship that stopped at a US naval base in Spain, a move that researchers say violates Spain's embargo on military cargo bound for "Israel."
The ship, MV Sagamore, owned by Sealift Inc. and chartered for US Navy operations, previously delivered humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the US's floating pier operation, but has this time reportedly picked up large quantities of military cargo from the US Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU) in North Carolina.
According to researchers from the Palestinian Youth Movement and Progressive International, the ship stopped at Naval Station Rota in Spain before heading to "Israel's" Ashdod Port, raising questions about compliance with Spain's May 2024 policy prohibiting such shipments.
Spain's Arms Embargo
Spain imposed the embargo to halt its involvement in arms shipments to "Israel" amid evidence of genocide and war crimes in Gaza.
Since its implementation, Spain has blocked multiple vessels carrying military cargo, forcing companies like Maersk to reroute through alternative ports, such as those in Morocco.
However, the use of Naval Station Rota—a US-operated but Spanish-sovereign base—creates a legal grey area.
Enrique Santiago, a Spanish legislator and lawyer, emphasized that while the base technically falls under Spanish jurisdiction, in practice, "American bases are beyond the reach of Spanish sovereignty."
Santiago warned that facilitating the transport of arms used in international crimes could lead to criminal liability for those involved.
Read more: Declassified UK reveals secret F-35 component shipments from UK to US
US Retaliation and Legal Dispute
In response to Spain's enforcement of its embargo, the US Federal Maritime Commission has opened an investigation into whether Spain's denial of port access violates maritime trade regulations.
The US could fine Spain up to $2.3 million per voyage, further escalating tensions between the NATO allies.
"A fine imposed by the United States against a country that is abiding by its obligations to prevent a genocide is clearly an illegal and illegitimate sanction in view of international law," Santiago said.
He added that Spain would seek to sanction American citizens involved in any violations of international law.
Humanitarian aid and dual purpose missions
The MV Sagamore was also central to the US military's floating pier operation in Gaza earlier this year, a $230 million effort to deliver assistance after "Israel" restricted land routes.
Despite its humanitarian mission, researchers found evidence that the ship concurrently transported ammunition, further complicating the narrative.
The report from Progressive International noted that while aid deliveries were ongoing, MV Sagamore was under separate contracts for military missions, though it remains unclear if aid and ammunition were carried on the same voyage.
The floating pier operation, dismantled after just 20 days due to bad weather and logistical failures, came under scrutiny when video evidence suggested US infrastructure may have supported Israeli military actions during the Nuseirat refugee camp massacre.
During the operation, Israeli forces killed over 275 Palestinians, including children, while extracting four captives.
Read more: Spain boosts ICC funding, backs ICJ genocide case against 'Israel'
Calls for action
The revelation has intensified calls for stricter enforcement of arms embargoes and greater scrutiny of military shipments.
Aisha Nizar, a campaign organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, urged European and North African nations to "deny docking or refueling to all vessels carrying ammunition or military cargo to Israel."
Spain's United Left coalition recently proposed a protocol in parliament to inspect and seize military cargo bound for "Israel" and report such cases to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), where "Israel" faces charges of genocide.
As investigations proceed, the findings could spark a protracted legal battle, as both sides accuse each other of violating international norms.
For now, the MV Sagamore stands as a glaring emblem of US double standards, delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians while simultaneously funneling weapons to "Israel".
