Spain Bans Military Cargo Shipments Bound for Israel

Spain has introduced a ban preventing ships and aircraft transporting weapons or military-grade fuel to Israel from accessing its ports or airspace. The decision comes in response to Israel’s nearly two-year-long military campaign in Gaza.

“There is a difference between defending your country and bombing hospitals or starving innocent children,” Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez wrote in a social media post on Tuesday.

The move follows similar action taken by Turkey late last month. Ankara barred Israeli-linked ships from entering Turkish ports, prohibited Turkish-flagged vessels from calling at Israeli ports, and restricted any vessel carrying military cargo bound for Israel from entering its harbors.

Around the world, protests have also been staged at ports this year against arms shipments to Israel, with dockworkers in several countries refusing to handle cargoes destined for the country.