Spain’s FM: ‘Spain does not sell weapons to Israel’

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares asserted that his country does not sell weapons to Israel, noting that the Middle East: “Does not need weapons, but peace.”

The Spanish foreign minister shared in a press statement on Friday that there have been no new licenses to export weapons to Israel since October 2023 and that his country will continue to ensure that there are no arms sales.

He added: “Spain does not sell weapons to Israel or allow ships carrying weapons to Israel to stop in Spain.”

Regarding the situation in Lebanon, Albares urged that there must be support for the Lebanese army as it is a pillar of internal stability, as well as the full implementation of Resolution 1701.

He stressed his country’s support for the current Lebanon ceasefire, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The foreign minister also praised the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as a “factor of stability” as it provides humanitarian aid to two million residents of the Strip.

In late October, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced the cancellation of a contract to purchase ammunition for the police from an Israeli company, showing the government’s commitment to not only refraining from selling weapons to Israel but also buying them from Israel.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported that Spain had stopped selling weapons to Israel in October 2023, with the start of the war on Gaza, noting that the government had confirmed its commitment not to sell weapons to Israel since the outbreak of the war.

Spain has been one of the most vocal critics of the war that Israel has been waging on Gaza.

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