Allegations of military ammunition sales to Israel: Backlash against Spain grows

"Centro Delas", an independent international institution conducting research on peace, revealed that a Spanish company sold military ammunition to Israel for 987 thousand euros in November 2023, based on data from the Comex foreign trade website.

HARSH CRITICISM

Foreign Minister Albares' repeated statements that "sales of arms and military ammunition to Israel have been suspended since October 7, when Israel's attacks on Gaza began," have been contradicted by the data on Comex, leading to harsh criticism of the coalition government from both inside and outside.

Inigo Errejon, Parliamentary Spokesperson for the Sumar Party, the junior partner in the minority left-wing coalition government, posted on his X account: "The embargo on arms sales must be complete and permanent. We must stop the genocide in Gaza."

"NOT A SINGLE BULLET OR WEAPON PRODUCED IN SPAIN CAN GO TO ISRAEL"

Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, also from the Sumar Party, stated in his assessment to the press that all licenses for the sale of arms and military ammunition to Israel dating after October 7, 2023, should be canceled, adding: "Not a single bullet or weapon produced in Spain can go to Israel. We insist on the implementation of a total embargo on arms sales to Israel."

The Sumar Party similarly stated on its X account that "the most extremist government in Israel's history is in power and arms purchases must be effectively and urgently suspended," adding: "There are no excuses. We must move from words to action."

"THE DOCUMENT SHOWS THE DISHONESTY AND HYPOCRISY OF THE PSOE"

Pablo Fernandez, Secretary of the Podemos Party, which left the Sumar alliance because it was not given enough say in Palestinian policy and now supports the government from the outside, also accused the senior coalition partner, the Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

Fernandez said: "This document that has been brought to light shows the dishonesty and hypocrisy of the PSOE. The Spanish government is financing the genocide that Israel is carrying out in Palestine. As Podemos, we want it to impose an embargo on arms sales, apply sanctions to the Israeli government, and sever diplomatic relations with that country."

Meanwhile, a demonstration was organized in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Madrid by some non-governmental organizations, protesting both the Spanish government for still allowing arms sales and Israel for its attacks on Gaza.

News Source: AA