DayofPal– Spain’s parliament on Tuesday approved a non-binding motion urging the government to impose a full arms embargo on Israel in response to its ongoing military operations in Gaza, intensifying calls for a more assertive stance on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza enclave.
The motion, spearheaded by the leftist Sumar alliance, a member of the ruling coalition, garnered support from other progressive parties, including Podemos and the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC). It was adopted by a narrow majority of 176 votes in favor to 171 against, according to El País.
Conservative lawmakers from the People’s Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party voted against the measure, while all other parliamentary groups backed the initiative. Applause broke out among its supporters as the motion passed.
While not legally binding, the resolution calls on the Spanish government to immediately halt all exports of materials that could bolster the Israeli military, including protective equipment such as helmets and vests, as well as dual-use items like fuel that may serve military purposes.
Beyond the arms embargo, the motion advocates for a broader overhaul of Spain’s foreign trade legislation. It recommends prohibiting military cooperation with any state credibly accused of committing genocide or crimes against humanity, explicitly naming Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as grounds for such restrictions.
“Spain cannot collaborate with a state that commits genocide or war crimes,” said Veronica Martínez, spokesperson for Sumar. “Under the current conditions in Gaza, the Israeli arms industry must not be supported.”
Podemos leader Ione Belarra went further, calling for an emergency Cabinet meeting this week to issue a formal government decree suspending all arms exports to Israel.
“Palestinians cannot wait any longer,” she said. “Netanyahu is killing, bombing, starving, and denying them medical care. This is the largest ethnic cleansing of the 21st century. He is the Hitler of our time.”
Meanwhile, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, speaking from Brussels where she was attending an EU Foreign Affairs Council, pushed back against claims of ongoing arms transactions.
“Let me be very clear: Spain has not purchased a single weapon from Israel since October 7,” she stated. “The only items acquired have been non-lethal protective gear for our own security forces.”
However, human rights organizations and demonstrators gathered outside parliament expressed skepticism, accusing the government of failing to sever existing defense contracts with Israeli companies.
Activist groups claim that at least nine military agreements remain in force, with Spain continuing to pay millions of euros under those deals.
The motion reflects growing pressure within Spain’s political establishment to align its foreign policy with its public rhetoric on human rights. While the final decision rests with the executive, Tuesday’s vote signals a significant shift in the parliamentary mood amid international scrutiny of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
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