DaysofPal – Spain has taken a bold diplomatic stance, calling for a complete arms embargo on Israel for the duration of the war in Gaza, while urging the international community to revive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized the European Union’s responsibility, noting:
“We, the European Union, are Israel’s largest trading partner worldwide. We Europeans must impose an arms export ban and not sell weapons to Israel as long as this war continues.”
Albares urged the EU to mirror its strong stance taken in response to the war in Ukraine, where coordinated sanctions and arms bans were swiftly implemented.
“The EU must act with the same resolve to advance peace efforts in the Middle East,” he added.
The minister also voiced concern over rising tensions between Israel and Iran, expressing regret over the absence of any meaningful de-escalation and reiterating the importance of resuming dialogue over Iran’s nuclear program, which has stalled amid growing regional instability.
This comes on the heels of the Spanish Parliament’s May 2025 vote to advance legislation aimed at banning arms trade with Israel, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s call for the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel and implement a comprehensive arms embargo.
Spain’s firm position reflects growing unease within parts of Europe over continued Israeli military aggression in Gaza, and the need for a principled, unified EU response to uphold international law and human rights.
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