Gaza Herald- Spain has announced a ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, declaring that both men will no longer be allowed to enter Spanish territory.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed the decision on Tuesday, underscoring Madrid’s commitment to confronting Israel’s ongoing war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
The announcement came a day after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez outlined nine measures designed to halt Israel’s campaign of mass killing in Gaza. These steps include a permanent arms embargo, bans on Israeli officials implicated in atrocities, and restrictions on trade and military cooperation. Albares stated that Ben Gvir and Smotrich have now been placed on Spain’s sanctions list, which already includes extremist settlers, and that both will also be flagged in the Schengen Information System to prevent their entry into Europe. He stressed that the list will remain open and will expand to include anyone who, through their actions or statements, seeks to destroy the possibility of a two-state solution.
Israel’s Retaliation and Spain’s Firm Response
In retaliation for Spain’s announcement, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, moved to bar two Spanish ministers from entering Israel. Madrid immediately responded by recalling its ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ana María Salomón, for consultations. Despite Israeli protests, Spain emphasized that the measures reflect the will of Spanish society and stand firmly on the principles of peace, human rights, and international law.
Spain’s Nine Measures in Detail
Among the measures announced is the formalization of Spain’s embargo on all sales and purchases of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to Israel, a policy that had already been in effect since October 2023. Spain has also banned ships carrying fuel for the Israeli army from docking in Spanish ports and has prohibited Israeli military flights from crossing Spanish airspace. Imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have been blocked, while consular services for Spanish citizens living in those settlements will be restricted to the minimum.
On the humanitarian side, Spain pledged to strengthen its support for the Palestinian people, increasing its contribution to UNRWA by an additional € 10 million, expanding its humanitarian aid to Gaza to reach € 150 million by 2026, and stepping up its presence in the European Union mission at Rafah.
Spain’s move aligns with similar actions taken by other states. In June, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich for incitement of violence against Palestinians. At the same time, the International Criminal Court in The Hague is reportedly preparing arrest warrants against the two ministers on charges of apartheid.
A Stand for Justice
The measures come at a time when Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirms that more than sixty-four thousand Palestinians have been killed and over one hundred and sixty thousand injured since October 2023. Even Israeli military figures admit that the majority of the victims are civilians. Spain’s bold stance not only challenges Israel’s crimes but also sets an example for other nations in Europe and beyond. By taking these steps, Madrid signals that the world can no longer remain silent in the face of genocide, forced displacement, and apartheid. Spain’s actions show that accountability is possible, and they highlight a growing international will to ensure that justice and human dignity prevail over occupation and impunity.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=67307
