23/06/2025
🇪🇸 Spain vs Israel: Strong Criticism & Policy Moves
EU-Level Pressure: On June 23, Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, called on the EU to immediately suspend its association agreement with Israel, impose an arms embargo, and enact individual sanctions on those blocking a two-state solution. Spain joins Ireland, Slovenia, Luxembourg, and 17/27 EU members behind this push, citing human-rights violations in Gaza
cadenaser.com
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huffingtonpost.es
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algemeiner.com
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Massive Arms Deal Cancellation: Spain has officially canceled a €285 million contract for SPIKE anti-tank missiles, produced locally by Rafael’s Spanish subsidiary
timesofisrael.com
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apnews.com
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countylocalnews.com
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Earlier Ammunition Fallout: Earlier in April, a €6.6 million order of 15 million 9 mm rounds from an Israeli supplier sparked a government crisis, but was terminated under coalition pressure
politico.eu
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timesofisrael.com
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UN Resolution Push: Spain is co-sponsoring an emergency UN General Assembly resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire and hostages release—aiming for international consensus outside the Security Council
usnews.com
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israelnationalnews.com
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timesofisrael.com
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🇺🇸 Spain & the US: Military Presence and Strategic Balance
US Bases in Andalusia: The US has deployed bomber and tanker aircraft to Morón and Rota air bases in southern Spain amid rising tensions with Iran—confirmed by Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles. Spain asserts this complies with existing bilateral agreements
cadenaser.com
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elpais.com
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Spanish Concern: While permitting these operations, Spain voices strong concern and reiterates its commitment to peace, aiming to avoid entanglement in broader militarization .
Key Themes & Implications
Shift in Spain’s Israel Policy
Spain is advancing from diplomatic criticism to policy action—suspending deals, advocating for sanctions, and halting arms exports.
Balancing US-Tied Military Cooperation
Spain supports US military logistics but remains wary of deepening geopolitical involvement.
Coalition and Public Pressure
Spain’s left-wing coalition, especially Sumar and Podemos, has significantly shaped policy—enforcing a firm stance. Public protests and the broader European sentiment weigh heavily.
EU Rift
Germany and others oppose immediate halting of the Israel trade agreement, creating a divide between Spain-led critics and more cautious member states
theguardian.com
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huffingtonpost.es
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aljazeera.com
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jpost.com
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france24.com
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livemint.com
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theguardian.com
🧭 What to Watch
Will Spain and its EU partners reach a consensus to suspend the Israel-EU agreement?
Will Madrid’s UN resolution gain traction, further isolating Israel diplomatically?
How will Spain respond to evolving US military operations tied to Israel and Iran?
Europe & Middle East policy updates
