The US says Spain's measures against Israel "embolden terrorists."
The Trump administration on Wednesday described as "deeply troubling" the restrictions announced by Spain to limit arms shipments to Israel, stating that they "embolden terrorists."
"It is deeply troubling that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit US operations and turn its back on Israel on the same day that six people were killed in Jerusalem. These measures embolden terrorists," a State Department spokesperson told EFE.
The US reaction comes after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appeared at the Moncloa Palace on Monday to announce nine measures against Israel in response to the genocide in Gaza, including the legal consolidation of the arms embargo on Israel.
"The military operation launched by the Israeli government in October 2023 in response to Hamas terrorist attacks has ended up becoming a new wave of illegal occupations and an unjustifiable attack against the Palestinian civilian population," Sánchez said.
"We cannot stop the Israeli offensive, but we will continue trying," the Prime Minister assured.
Sánchez's nine measures against Israel- Urgent approval of a Royal Decree Law legally consolidating the arms embargo on Israel, in place since October 2023, and establishing a legal and permanent ban on the purchase and sale of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to that country.
- Prohibition of transit through Spanish ports for all ships carrying fuel destined for the Israeli armed forces.
- Denial of entry into Spanish airspace to all state aircraft transporting defense material destined for Israel.
- Prohibition of entry into Spanish territory for all persons directly involved in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes in Gaza.
- Ban on the import of products from illegal settlements in Gaza and the West Bank, with the aim of combating these occupations, halting the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, and keeping the two-state solution alive.
- Limiting consular services provided to Spanish citizens residing in illegal Israeli settlements to the minimum legally required assistance.
- Strengthening Spanish support for the Palestinian Authority by increasing the number of Spanish troops in the European Union's Border Assistance Mission in Rafah and establishing new collaboration projects with the Palestinian Authority in the areas of agriculture, food security, and medical assistance.
- Increase in Spain's contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) with an additional 10 million euros for relief to the Gazan population.
- Increase in humanitarian aid and cooperation for Gaza to reach €150 million by 2026.
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