Spain Bans Transit of U.S. Ships Carrying Weapons for Israel via Its Bases

Spain has prohibited the transit of American aircraft and vessels carrying weapons, ammunition, or military equipment intended for Israel through the Rota (Cadiz province) and Morón de la Frontera (Seville province) airbases, reports El País. The ban applies to both ships directly bound for the Jewish state and those with Israel as their final destination.

The kingdom does not inspect American transport planes or ships stopping at Spanish bases. The Pentagon could conceal the cargo transported by American vessels; however, according to sources from the publication, the relationships among allies are based on trust, which would be seriously undermined in such a situation.

Madrid has adopted a rather firm stance against the Jewish state due to the situation in the Gaza Strip. Earlier, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a decree imposing an arms supply embargo on Israel.

It should be noted that the situation in the Middle East escalated sharply after armed supporters of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated Israeli territory from Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing residents of border communities and taking more than 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations in the enclave to destroy Hamas’s military and political structures and secure the release of all hostages.