Spain to Prevent Use of Its Bases for U.S. Weapons Shipments to Israel, Launch Probes Into Companies Advertising Israeli Products

Latest Developments

Preventing Use of Bases: Spain has reportedly implemented measures preventing U.S. arms shipments bound for Israel from passing through its military bases. This directive applies to both U.S. military aircraft and ships passing through Spanish bases in Rota and Morón, which host U.S. forces. A State Department spokesperson expressed concerns in early September over Madrid’s decision to impose an arms embargo on Israel, saying that the action could “potentially limit U.S. operations” and “embolden terrorists.” Over the past several months, Spain has canceled several arms contracts with Israeli weapons producers, including orders for Elbit SILAM rocket launchers, Rafael Spike Anti-Tank Missiles, Rafael Litening-5 Targeting Pods for fighter aircraft, and ammunition produced by IMI Systems, totaling roughly $1 billion in dropped weapons deals.
Investigating Companies With Ties to Israel: The Spanish government said that it will begin investigating domestic firms that advertise or promote products or services from Israeli communities in the West Bank. “No firm should have its balance sheet stained with the blood of the Palestinian people,” Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy reportedly stated in July, adding that Spain would use “all necessary resources” to enforce the measure.
Spain to Join the Hague Group: Spain has reportedly decided to join the 34-nation bloc of anti-Israel nations known as “The Hague Group,” a decision made during the UN General Assembly. The coalition, organized by the far-left, anti-capitalist organization Progressive International, says that its mission is to coordinate legal, diplomatic, and economic measures against alleged Israeli violations of international law. After its formation in February, Hamas praised the coalition, saying that it represents “an important and key step at the international level to end this racist and fascist occupation.”

FDD Expert Response

“Spain today is looking more like 1492 than 2025 with the rise of antisemitism and now direct interference with U.S. military operations. Washington has plenty of economic and strategic leverage over Madrid. We could examine options for diplomatic isolation in bilateral and multilateral settings, the use of coercive trade tools, sanctions, or changes in security cooperation. Or we could just ignore Spain, not tell them what’s in the cargo, and keep driving on — which is probably the best option alongside diplomatic isolation.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

“By tilting at the windmills of an imaginary genocide in Gaza, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has turned Madrid into one of the most virulently anti-Israel governments in the world. Sanchez has even dragged the United States into its anti-Israel crusade. The damage Sanchez is doing may be irreparable and will not help his party’s flagging popularity.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“Spain’s anti-Zionist Inquisition has taken a sinister turn. Minister Bustinduy’s pledge to use ‘all available resources’ to hound Spanish companies trading with Israeli communities in the West Bank leaves no doubt that the Sanchez government intends to violate its own citizens’ rights if they dissent from its pro-Hamas line.” — Ben Cohen, Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Director