Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday that Spain will impose a permanent embargo on arms and ammunition sales to Israel, presenting the move as part of a broader initiative of nine measures to ‘stop the genocide’ taking place in Gaza.
The measures go beyond halting weapons exports. Sánchez said that Spain will not allow vessels transporting fuel for the Israeli military to dock in Spanish ports, and planes carrying military equipment will likewise be denied access to Spanish airspace.
‘Spain is and will be on the right side of history,’ said Sánchez at the start of his announcement regarding the new measures (see social media link below). ‘We take one more step and undertake nine additional actions to stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators, and support the Palestinian people.’
While saying that Israel is entitled to exist and defend itself, Sánchez insisted this right does not extend to attempts to ‘exterminate a defenceless people’. He condemned what he described as the international community’s inaction in the face of the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza. ALSO READ: Spain joins international condemnation of Israel’s plans to take over Gaza City.
‘Protecting your country and your society is one thing; bombing hospitals and starving children is another,’ Sánchez said, underlining Spain’s duty to act against ‘what the UN special rapporteur and many experts consider a genocide’. ALSO READ: Sánchez: ‘We have a moral duty to save lives in Gaza’, which is a ‘catastrophic situation of genocide’.
The new package also bars individuals ‘directly participated in genocide, human rights violations and war crimes in the Gaza Strip’ from entering Spain.
However, Sánchez did not specify how such involvement would be determined or how those people would be identified.
Further provisions include tighter restrictions on consular services available to Spanish nationals living in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and a complete prohibition on imports from occupied territories.
The statement from Moncloa outlines the nine new measures to be adopted by the Spanish government as follows:
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The urgent approval of a Royal Decree-Law that legally consolidates the arms embargo on Israel in force since October 2023, establishing a permanent legal ban on the purchase and sale of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to that country.
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A prohibition on the transit through Spanish ports of all vessels carrying fuel destined for the Israeli armed forces.
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A ban on entry into Spanish airspace for any state aircraft transporting defence materials intended for Israel.
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A ban on entry into Spanish territory for all persons directly involved in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes in Gaza.
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A prohibition on the import of products originating from the illegal settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, with the aim of combating these occupations, halting the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, and keeping the two-state solution alive.
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Limiting consular services provided to Spanish citizens residing in Israeli illegal settlements to the minimum legally required assistance.
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Strengthening Spain’s support for the Palestinian Authority by increasing the number of Spanish personnel in the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Rafah and launching new cooperation projects with the Palestinian Authority in the fields of agriculture, food security, and medical assistance.
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Expanding Spain’s contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) with an additional €10 million to support the population of Gaza.
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Increasing humanitarian aid and cooperation funds for Gaza to reach a total of €150 million by 2026.
Sánchez has been one of the most outspoken EU leaders regarding Israel’s offensive in Gaza, having formally recognised Palestinian statehood last year. Yet members of his coalition have pushed him to go further. The left-wing Sumar party, junior partner in his minority government, has urged stronger action. ALSO READ: Film director Pedro Almodóvar urges Spain to cut all ties with Israel over Gaza.
Sumar’s leader, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, welcomed Monday’s announcement but pressed for additional steps, calling on Sánchez to withdraw Spain’s ambassador from Tel Aviv.
Israel quickly reacted to the decision. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Madrid of following a ‘hostile anti-Israeli line’ and claimed the government’s stance was ‘antisemitic’, designed to ‘distract attention from serious corruption scandals’. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘There are judges doing politics and politicians trying to do justice’.
In retaliation, Sa’ar also barred Díaz and Spain’s Youth Minister Sira Rego – herself the daughter of a Palestinian refugee – from entering Israel, citing their alleged ‘support for terrorism and violence against Israelis’.
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España está y estará en el lado correcto de la historia.
Damos un paso más y emprendemos nueve acciones adicionales para detener el genocidio en Gaza, perseguir a sus ejecutores y apoyar al pueblo palestino. pic.twitter.com/GIk8XoWWO6
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) September 8, 2025
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