Spanish parliament agrees arms embargo on Israel

The Spanish parliament has approved an arms embargo against Israel over the Gaza war.

Left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had already enacted the measure by decree more than two weeks ago, but it required parliamentary confirmation within 30 days.

The vote saw 178 in favour and 169 against – mainly from the conservative and far-right opposition.

Until the last moment, it was uncertain whether Sánchez would secure a majority for the measure. The left-wing alternative party Podemos ultimately supported the embargo despite criticizing elements of the plan. Podemos leader Ione Belarra called the sanction against Israel “fake” because it did not go far enough.

With the embargo and additional measures, Madrid aims to help “stop the genocide in Gaza,” according to the government. The embargo bans the trade of arms, as well as goods and technologies with dual-use potential that could be utilized by the Israeli military.

It also prohibits the transit of military-use fuels destined for Israel through Spanish ports and airspace.