Spain Calls for Global Arms Embargo on Israel and Urgent EU Sanctions

Speaking to reporters at the opening of a ministerial meeting of the so-called Madrid Group in Spain’s capital on Sunday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares declared:

“We must all agree on a joint arms embargo… the last thing the Middle East needs now is more weapons.”

Albares also urged the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Partnership Agreement, a measure currently under review in Brussels, and called for targeted sanctions on individuals obstructing the two-state solution, stating that sanctions on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not be ruled out.

“Nothing being discussed here is aimed at the State of Israel,” Albares clarified, “but the Palestinian people have the same right to peace and security as the Israeli people.”

In a separate interview with France Info Radio, Albares posed a stark rhetorical question:“What is the alternative? Kill all Palestinians? Expel them… to where, the moon? Or give them Israeli citizenship?”

He stressed that sanctions must be considered immediately to stop what he described as a “senseless war,” and to ensure the unhindered, impartial delivery of humanitarian aid—without Israel deciding who gets food and who doesn’t.

Following the EU’s recent decision to review its cooperation agreement with Israel, Albares reiterated:

“We must think seriously about sanctions. We must do everything, consider everything, to stop this war.”

Spain’s position comes as longtime Israeli allies increasingly join mounting international pressure against Israel’s military escalation in Gaza.

A two-month aid blockade has worsened critical shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine in Gaza, raising fears of famine. Aid agencies confirm that recent deliveries allowed by Israel are far below urgent needs.

Madrid is hosting 20 European and Arab countries, along with international organizations, to address the situation.

“Silence at this moment is complicity in this massacre,” said Albares.

Attendees include representatives from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, as well as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Morocco, the Arab League, and the OIC. Countries such as Brazil, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, and Slovenia, which like Spain have recognized the State of Palestine, also participated.

The summit aims to revive the two-state solution as the foundation for lasting peace.

French Deputy Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, speaking via video from Paris, emphasized the need to “restore a diplomatic horizon for a political solution.”

Barrot will meet Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Varsine Aghabekian Shahin in Yerevan on Monday.

He also reaffirmed the goals of the upcoming UN conference in June, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, including:

• Recognition of the State of Palestine

• Normalization with Israel

• Palestinian Authority reforms

• Disarmament of Hamas

• Security guarantees for Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a vocal critic of the war in Gaza, announced last week that Spain will submit a UN resolution calling on the International Court of Justice to evaluate Israel’s compliance with international law regarding humanitarian access to Gaza.

Spain will also support another UN resolution demanding Israel end the humanitarian blockade and allow full, unrestricted aid access.

The war began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, of whom 57 remain in Gaza, and 34 are presumed dead.

Since the war began, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 53,939 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, with 122,797 injured. Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 after a brief ceasefire, 3,785 more Palestinians have been killed, according to Sunday’s update.