Spain bans arms trade with Israel amid calls to "stop the genocide in Gaza"

The Spanish parliament approved a law on Wednesday that prohibits the export and import of arms to and from Israel, in an unprecedented move within the European Union, aimed – according to the government – at "curbing the genocide in Gaza".

The decision came after 178 deputies voted in favor of the ban compared to 169 opponents, thanks to the support of four deputies from the far-left "Podemos" party, who made their decision at the last moment, allowing the law to pass even though Pedro Sánchez's government does not have a parliamentary majority.

In a previous speech before the United Nations in New York, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for granting Palestine full membership in the international organization, affirming that his country is committed to "an ethical stance regarding the suffering of civilians in Gaza".

This move followed a series of cancellations of defense contracts between Madrid and Tel Aviv; the Spanish Ministry of Defense announced last month the cancellation of a $218 million deal with the Israeli company "Rafael" to supply guidance systems for "Lightning 5" bombs, and it had previously canceled a $272 million deal for "Spike" anti-tank missiles.