Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is treading lightly though he has taken a surprisingly tough line. He’s called on international sporting federations to ban Israel from competing, akin to the ban imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sanchez’s remarks underscore the increased Spanish outrage at Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, which Sanchez characterized as genocidal. This call is issued together with a host of other measures, intended to ramp up the pressure on Israel.
Sanchez explained that Spain has a moral obligation to call for an end to Israel’s “barbarism” in Gaza. To start, he announced nine steps designed to increase this pressure, including a full arms embargo on Israel. The Prime Minister emphasized that until the violence ceases, both Russia and Israel should be barred from international sporting events.
Measures Against Israel
Among the significant steps put forth by Sanchez is the prohibition of docking and overflight rights for ships and aircraft transporting weapons to Israel. In response, Spain has enacted an arms embargo that voids contracts totaling almost one billion euros, or close to $1.2 billion. This action directly undercuts attempts to prevent what Sanchez called genocide in Gaza.
Additionally, Spain has recently passed a law banning imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Today, Spain is actively working to decrease its defense industry’s reliance on Israeli technology. This step is part of a larger trend in its foreign policy, a pivot toward a more humanitarian stance.
“Until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition.” – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
Spanish Sports Minister Pilar Alegria vehemently expressed Sanchez’s sentiments. She demanded that Israeli teams be expelled from international sporting competitions, in the same manner as Russian teams. Alegria highlighted the problematic “double standard” that allows Israel to participate, but keeps Russia out.
Humanitarian Aid for Gaza
Sanchez also announced a pledge of €10 million, or about $11.8 million to increase support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He paired this new funding with a number of other key measures. Spain has pledged more than €20m in humanitarian assistance to Gaza. They are set to contribute a total of €150 million (roughly $176 million) by 2026.
The need and urgency of this humanitarian effort is further highlighted by the current crisis being experienced by civilians in Gaza. Sanchez’s government hopes to meet this rapidly expanding humanitarian demand while exerting diplomatic pressure on Israel at the same time.
Reactions from Israel
Israel’s leadership has reacted strongly to Sanchez’s statements and actions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled Sanchez an “anti-Semite and a liar.” This clarion statement followed Sanchez’s courageous opinion, defunding the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes.
These tensions reveal the problematic underbelly of Spanish-Israeli relations. The truth is that Spain, like any other state, is making a concerted effort to alter its image on the global humanitarian stage and international relations.
The landscape is changing quickly. Perhaps most importantly, it will be fascinating to see how international sporting bodies react to Sanchez’s invitation to penalize Israel and what this entails for Spain’s burgeoning diplomatic relations with the region.
