The Government of Spain strengthens the arms embargo on Israel, and bans imports from illegal settlements in Palestinian territories

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Minister for Education, Vocational Training, and Sports and Government Spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, during the press conference fater the Council of Ministers (Pool Moncloa / Jose Manuel Álvarez)

The Council of Ministers has approved a royal decree law with urgent measures to stop the genocide in Gaza and to support the Palestinian people . The Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, framed the regulation within the Executive's commitment to respect for human rights and international humanitarian law and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the region.

Cuerpo recalled that almost two years have passed since the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 which, "as the President of the Government of Spain pointed out yesterday, we continue to condemn in the strongest terms, as well as calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages". In that period, he added, there have been more than 65,000 deaths in Gaza, more than 165,000 injured and some 2 million displaced, and more than 250,000 people, including children, are at risk of malnutrition.

The minister advocated that Spain should continue to lead international efforts to act in response to this situation and increase pressure on the Israeli government, as the President of the Government of Spain already announced and is defending at the United Nations General Assembly, which is being held this week in New York.

Total arms embargo and ban on imports

A first essential measure in the regulation, which must be validated by the Lower House of Parliament within 30 days, is the consolidation of the total arms embargo on Israel: exports to and imports from Israel of both defence material and dual-use products and technology are prohibited.

The Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, during his speech at the press conference after the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa / Jose Manuel Álvarez

Secondly, the regulation includes a ban on ships and aircraft transporting fuel or material for possible military use in Israel from entering the country's ports and airspace. Carlos Cuerpo pointed out that this is an "essential input for the Israeli armed forces", which until now was not included in the regulations governing foreign trade control.

The third pillar of the decree law is a ban on the import of products originating from illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. Advertising for goods originating from these settlements and services provided there is also prohibited.

The text also includes a provision to revoke authorisations currently in force on the date of entry into force of the regulation and to prohibit authorisations pending resolution.

The Minister for Economy, Trade and Business also stressed that the regulation reinforces the transparency and accountability of the government and provides for the defence of general interests in exceptional circumstances. The Executive undertakes to appear before the Lower House of Parliament on a quarterly basis to report on the application of the measures, including the possibility that the Council of Ministers may authorise a one-off derogation on an exceptional basis if national interests are affected.

Pardons for two of the "Zaragoza Six".

The Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sports and Government Spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, announced that the Council of Ministers has approved the pardon of two people from the group known as "The Zaragoza Six", specifically Francisco Javier Aijón and Adrián Latorre.

The Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sports and Government Spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, during her speech at the press conference after the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa / Jose Manuel Álvarez

The spokesperson recalled that Aijón and Latorre were convicted of an aggravated crime of public disorder after they were arrested during altercations that took place at a gathering against a far-right rally. As Alegría confirmed, both individuals have received favourable recommendations for a pardon, both from the sentencing court and from the Public Prosecution Service.

Subsidy for Ceuta and Melilla and appeals of unconstitutionality

At the regional level, Pilar Alegría reported on the approval of a direct subsidy of 21 million euros for the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, which will be able to use this allocation to develop actions of social interest, for example in the area of education, or to develop projects such as the start-up of desalination plants.

In addition, the Executive has approved the filing of two appeals of unconstitutionality against the Law on Fiscal and Administrative Measures in Galicia and against the Law on Measures for the Promotion of Energy Communities and Industrial Self-consumption in Aragon. In both cases, the appeals point to the incompatibility of some of the precepts of these regional laws with the state regulations in force in these areas.

Declaration on International Day Against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children

The government spokesperson also reported on the Council's approval of an institutional declaration on the occasion of the International Day against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Women and Children. In the document, the government expresses its "strong commitment to gender equality, the rights of all women and children and the eradication of sexual exploitation and trafficking in human beings, as well as the development of comprehensive measures that promote the prevention, care and recovery of victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation".

Alegría underlined the government's commitment to equality and women's rights and concluded by pointing out that the objective is to "continue working to put an end to this violation of human rights".

Current affairs: UN Assembly and leading sports figures

The Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, and the Minister for Education, Vocational Training, and Sports and Government Spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, during the press conference fater the Council of Ministers | Pool Moncloa / Jose Manuel Álvarez

Pilar Alegría began her speech by recalling the presence of the President of the Government of Spain and other members of the Executive at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The spokesperson stressed that Pedro Sánchez once again defended at this meeting the urgency of recognising the Palestinian state, a decision that Spain adopted in May 2024 and which is now being adopted by other countries such as France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. "From the very first moment, this government has taken steps towards achieving the objective of a just and lasting peace that allows for coexistence between the two states," Alegría pointed out.

On the other hand, the Minister for Sport conveyed the Government's congratulations to the footballer Aitana Bonmatí, who has just won her third Ballon d'Or. "She is the first woman to win these three consecutive balls," said Alegría, who underlined the Catalan player's status as a leading figure in women's football. Alegría also congratulated the athlete from Granada, María Pérez, for her double gold medal in the race walk event in two consecutive World Athletics Championships. "They are two leading figures in the field of sport who well deserve this recognition," she said.

Non official translation