The Council of Ministers has approved the Royal Decree-Law that legally consolidates the “total” embargo of weapons to Israeltwo weeks after the approval of the rest of the measures announced by the president of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to answer Israel’s attacks on Gaza. This has been announced by the Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business, Carlos Body, in an appearance at a press conference with the Executive spokeswoman, Pilar Alegría. In addition, body has ensured that the fuel sale that can be used for aircraft will also be vetoed, which until now was not included in the trade regulations, as well as the prohibition of importing goods and services produced in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. In addition, the advertising of the products that have been manufactured in illegal Israeli settlements is prohibited.
The embargo of arms to Israel, which the Government in fact adopts since 2023now it will have greater legal coverage through a standard that has been delayed by the technical complexity of its elaboration. The other measures against Israel were approved at the meeting of the Cabinet of September 9, but the decree was pending due to the technical complexity required by its approval, with several ministries involved and forced to adapt its content to European legislation.
The body minister has assured that he is committed to appear quarterly to account for the application of this decree-law and He pointed out that it will be possible to lift some of the prohibitions at some point if necessary for “national interest”. These exceptional operations may be authorized through an agreement of the Council of Ministers. Body has indicated that trade with Israel will barely be harmed by this measure, since only 0.5% of the total exports come from companies located in Palestinian illegal settlements.
The new regulations legally reinforce the embargo of weapons that Spain applies since October 2023when the Israel government initiated a military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has caused more than 63,000 dead, 159,000 people injured and the forced displacement of almost two million civilians. Spain is the first country to legally consolidate the prohibition of exporting and importing weapons with Israel and that of trade and advertise products from the illegal settlements of Palestinian territories. The Government ensures that with this measure the international pressure on Israel intensifies and contributes to end the genocide in Gaza, compatible with the conviction for the attack perpetrated by the terrorist organization Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Spain’s commitment to international peace and security
Since October 2023, Spain has led international efforts to demand a high permanent fire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the end of the blockade of humanitarian aid on the strip. The Royal Decree-Law approved this Tuesday reaffirms this commitment from Spain with international peace and security.
The embargo is part of a broader policy of support for the solution of two states, the recognition of Palestine and the impulse of initiatives at the UN and the International Criminal Court to demand responsibilities for war crimes. It also adds to a series of efforts to internationally isolate Israel as the European Commission’s proposal to suspend the application of the commercial part of the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel.
Add ask for more changes
Add will ask that the Royal Decree Law for the embargo on Weapons to Israel, approved on Tuesday in the Council of Ministers, be processed in Congress as a bill to introduce changes in the text and apply in the future this measure to the countries “convicted or investigated by genocide”.
The second vice president and leader of adding in the coalition government, Yolanda Díaz, He warned on Monday his PSOE partners that they would ask for processing as a bill if the Royal Decree was not ambitiousOr, and adding sources have confirmed EFE on Tuesday in a statement that will finally demand it. The intention, according to the same sources, is to expand the text to be able to apply it in the future not only to Israel, but to all countries that are “convicted or investigated by genocide.”
In a statement, Sumar has explained that they will also ask to change the unique additional provision of the Royal Decree Law, which authorizes the Council of Ministers to except for an operation of the embargo in force. And it warns that while this clause is not modified in its parliamentary process, adding will oppose any operation that is proposed as an exception to the embargo via the Council of Ministers.
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