Spain’s Leader Said It Will Keep Its Arms Embargo On Israel Despite The Ceasefire As It Doesn’t Mean Impunity
Sánchez said Spain will uphold the arms embargo it imposed on Israel until the “whole process is solidified” and peace in Gaza is achieved.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has said the ceasefire in Gaza cannot mean “impunity” or forgetting Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
He also said Spain will uphold the arms embargo it imposed on Israel until the “whole process is solidified” and peace in Gaza is achieved.
Sánchez had joined the Gaza peace summit on Monday Oct. 13, in Sham El-Sheikh, Egypt, where the leaders of more than 20 countries met to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire deal, hours after Israel and Hamas exchanged the hostages as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
Following his return to Spain, in an interview with Spanish broadcaster, SER on Tuesday, Oct. 14, Sánchez said “Peace cannot mean forgetting or impunity.”
He added that people who have been the main perpetrators of genocide in Gaza must respond to justice despite the ceasefire deal.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its defense minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in November 2024.
Once the ICC issues an arrest warrant, it relies on its member countries to make arrests, as it doesn’t have its own police force, according to Reuters.
Sánchez said that the ceasefire moment was a window of opportunity for frank dialogue between Israel and Palestine and the recognition of two states, adding that Spain and Europe have a critical role in reconstruction, shaping a two-state solution and establishing peace under international law.
Earlier, before Israel and Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, Spain’s parliament had approved a total arms embargo against Israel, formalizing the ban, which Sanchez had announced in early September.
The ban will include a full arms embargo on Israel and a ban on ships and aircraft carrying weapons or fuel to Israel from passing through its ports and airspace.
Spain has not approved any new arms export licenses to Israel since October 2023 and recognized Palestine as a state along with Ireland and Norway in May 2024.
Kassy Cho
Sofia Hou
Kassy Cho
