Spain Cancels Third Arms Deal with Israel Following New Embargo Law

Spain has canceled a third arms deal with Israel, worth €207 million, just two days after a new law banning arms trade with Israel came into force, citing the ongoing war of extermination in the Gaza Strip, Haaretz reported. 

According to the Israeli newspaper, the scrapped deal involved the Israeli company Rafael and included 45 containers of advanced aviation navigation equipment. 

The containers were reportedly fitted with electro-optical sensors, laser pointers, infrared systems, and an updated radar capable of high-resolution scanning and imaging.

Haaretz explained that the move came in line with Spain’s newly enacted legislation, which prohibits the export, import, and transit of dual-use weapons and technologies to and from Israel through Spanish ports.

This is the third such cancellation by Madrid. Previously, Spain annulled a contract valued at nearly €700 million for Israeli-designed rocket launchers and another worth €287.5 million for 168 anti-tank rocket launchers.

Citing La Vanguardia, reports said that the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has begun implementing a broader plan to gradually remove Israeli weapons and technologies from its armed forces.

Last Tuesday, the Spanish government approved a royal decree introducing a sweeping arms embargo on Israel under sanctions titled “Combating Genocide in Gaza and in Support of the Palestinian People.” Officials emphasized that the measures are intended “to stop the genocide in Gaza and increase political pressure on Israel.”

Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo announced that the embargo applies to all defense equipment, products, and technologies related to military use. 

It also prohibits the transfer of jet fuel for potential military purposes and bans the import and promotion of goods originating from illegal settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

Sánchez, widely regarded as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel, reiterated his position at Columbia University in New York last week.

“This decision represents a major step forward and a pioneering international move to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel,” Cuerpo said.

“I do believe that we are witnessing one of the darkest and most terrible events of the 21st century unfold right before our eyes. And simply, the international community cannot remain silent and paralyzed,” he said.

With American backing, Israel has continued its genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,502 Palestinians killed and 167,376 wounded—most of them women and children—while famine has claimed the lives of 442 more, including 147 children.