Cultural Leaders in Spain Urge Government for Arms Embargo on Israel

More than 250 prominent cultural figures from across Spain, including acclaimed film director Pedro Almodóvar and 'Money Heist' star Alba Flores, have come together to express their urgent call for the Spanish government to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel. The letter, made public this week on social media, is directed at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and emphasizes the necessity to formally ban any export and import of military materials to and from Israel. The signatories accentuate that history will judge our actions at critical moments like this and urge an end to the ongoing horror.

This plea comes amidst a deepening conflict that began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 casualties. Since then, Sánchez has emerged as one of the European Union's most vocal critics of Israel's subsequent military actions, which have led to the deaths of over 42,000 individuals, many of whom are civilians. Recently, Sánchez condemned the attacks by Israeli forces against UN peacekeeping troops in Lebanon, and he announced a suspension on licenses for arms sales to Israel after October last year. He has called on the international community to take similar steps to avert further escalation of violence in the region.

However, a report from the Centre Delàs, a Barcelona-based organization dedicated to disarmament and peace, presents a more intricate narrative. Earlier this year, the center disclosed that ammunition valued at approximately €987,000 was exported to Israel from Spain in late 2023. The Spanish secretary of state for trade clarified that these exports were based on licenses issued prior to the October conflict; he characterized the material as medium-caliber ammunition without explosives and stated that they were meant for testing or demonstration purposes, not intended for use in ongoing conflicts.

The letter to Sánchez articulates that the sale of arms and ongoing military supplies to Israel facilitate a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people, exacerbating civilian suffering and loss of life. It asserts, "We urge you to take immediate action to implement a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel," stating that such a measure has proven effective in promoting peace in similar contexts. It is highlighted as both a moral obligation and a requirement under international law.

This appeal occurs in a broader international context where Spain had previously recognized Palestinian statehood in May and has been acknowledged for its advocacy towards peace. Nonetheless, the signatories insist that continued military relations with Israel render Spain complicit in the violence and humanitarian crisis.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron also advocated for halting arms supplies to Israel, primarily targeting the U.S. for its continued military support. This call drew a strong rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that, as Israel faces threats he attributes to Iran, all civilized nations should stand firmly alongside Israel.

The UN's special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Tor Wennesland, provided a grim outlook over the weekend, stating that nowhere in Gaza is safe, as the humanitarian crisis intensifies amidst relentless Israeli strikes. Wennesland described the unfortunate scenes unfolding in the northern strip as horrifying, marking a critical juncture in a conflict that has drawn international attention and demands for resolution.

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