Spain Criticizes Israel, Enforces Sanctions Amid Conflict

Madrid, Sep 8 (AP) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez intensified his criticism of Israel's maneuvers in the 23-month-long Israel-Hamas conflict on Monday, prompting Israel to bar two left-wing Spanish ministers from the country.

Sánchez announced a series of initiatives aimed at urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration to address the humanitarian issues arising from its military actions in the Gaza Strip. “This is not self-defense, it's not even an attack — it's the extermination of a defenseless people. It is a violation of all humanitarian laws, and despite that, the international community is failing to stop this tragedy," Sánchez stated.

In addition to formalizing an arms embargo, which has reportedly been informally effective since October 2023, Spain will prohibit vessels transporting fuel for Israel's armed forces from traversing Spanish ports, and plans to bolster its humanitarian assistance to Gaza by 2026 to reach 150 million euros (USD 176 million), he announced. The measures will require parliamentary approval.

The initiatives also include a commitment to increase aid for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and to impose a ban on goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Furthermore, individuals directly involved in what Sánchez described as the “genocide” in Gaza would be barred from entering Spanish territory.

“We are aware that these measures alone cannot halt the invasion or war crimes, but we hope they pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to mitigate some of the suffering endured by the Palestinian population,” Sánchez added.

In retaliation, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Sánchez of deflecting attention from corruption scandals plaguing his Socialist Party, labeling the Spanish government's actions “antisemitic.” On the platform X, Saar announced Israel had barred Spain's Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego from entering the country. Both ministers are part of the government’s left-wing coalition partner Sumar, and they were banned for labeling Israel a “genocidal state” and supporting sanctions or boycotts against Israel.

Spain's government has been a vocal adversary of Israel's actions in Gaza, initiated after Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, on October 7, 2023, and took 251 hostages. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel's campaign has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, though the ministry does not specify how many were civilians or combatants.

Last year, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in formally recognizing a Palestinian state and was the first European nation to seek UN court permission to support South Africa's genocide allegations against Israel in Gaza.

On Monday, Saar minimized the potential impact of the Spanish government's stance on Israel. “If they want to break off or halt defense ties with Israel,” Saar remarked to reporters, “who do you think will lose from that? We don't need Spain to protect the land of Israel.” (AP) RD RD

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)