Spain’s parliament has voted to make permanent an arms embargo on Israel, solidifying Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s earlier decree aimed at pressuring Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza. The motion passed by a narrow margin of 178 to 169 votes, with the backing of the far-left Podemos party proving decisive.
The new law bans all exports and imports of weapons, defence technology, or related products between Spain and Israel. It also prohibits the transit of aviation fuel with potential military use and bans advertising goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.
Sánchez’s government said the embargo, first introduced in 2023, seeks to reinforce Spain’s opposition to what it called “an indiscriminate attack against the Palestinian population.” Limited exemptions may apply for dual-use technology if a total ban harms Spain’s national interests.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Israel, which recalled its ambassador to Madrid in 2024 following Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state. The Israeli embassy condemned the decision, calling it “a cynical and reprehensible act.”