Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Monday a package of nine urgent measures in response to what he described as "genocide" in the Gaza Strip, aiming to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on the Israeli occupation and increase humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Sanchez, speaking from the presidential La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, emphasized Spain's desire to be on the right side of history. The first measure in this package is a total ban on arms sales and purchases involving the Israeli occupation government.
Additionally, Spain will prohibit ships carrying fuel or weapons to the occupation from entering or passing through Spanish ports and will close its airspace to aircraft transporting military equipment to Israeli forces. Sanchez also announced entry bans on individuals implicated in war crimes or human rights violations in Gaza and a trade embargo on goods produced in Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Spanish government will reduce consular services provided to Spanish citizens residing in illegal Israeli occupation settlements to the minimum level of legal assistance. Furthermore, Sanchez confirmed that Spain will boost its presence at the Rafah crossing and enhance support for the Palestinian Authority, allocating EUR 150 million (approx. USD 176 million) in 2026 to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Sanchez acknowledged the limited impact of these steps, stating that while Spain does not possess nuclear weapons and cannot stop the Israeli occupation's assault on Gaza alone, the country will not stop trying. The announcement comes amid mounting domestic pressure from the leftist coalition Sumar and civil society groups demanding stronger action against Israeli policies.