Spanish artists, academics call for full arms embargo on Israel

Over 300 Spanish artists and academics, including Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodovar, have called on the Spanish government to fully suspend all arms equipment trade with Israel, despite official claims that military trade had already stopped after the violence in Gaza escalated on 7 October last year.

In an open letter to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, notable figures from Spain’s film, music, television and academic sectors voiced their deep concern over Spain’s military ties with Israel.

Signatories include directors Pedro Almodovar and Isabel Coixet, musicians Rozalen and Mikel Izar, actors Aitana Sanchez-Gijon and Alba Flores, and comedian Andreu Buenafuente.

“As long as Spain maintains military relations with Israel, it remains complicit in this massacre,” the letter stated, calling for “measures to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel.”

The letter condemned what the group described as Israel’s “daily massacres,” and called for Spain’s progressive government, which they said prides itself on defending human rights, to take stronger action in support of Palestinians and Lebanese. Moreover, they argued that Spain has both a moral and legal duty to stop supplying arms and military materials, which they claim fuel the occupation of Palestine and contribute to civilian deaths.

“Spain must view the cessation of military material and fuel transfers as both a moral obligation and a duty under international law,” they argued.

Prime Minister Sanchez has insisted that arms sales to Israel were suspended last October, but critics, particularly from the Podemos Party, have questioned the government’s transparency and called for clearer actions.

Sanchez recently urged EU leaders to implement a broader arms embargo on Israel and called for EU recognition of Palestine as an independent state, amplifying international pressure on the issue.

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