Spain escalates pressure on Israel, blocks U.S. military arms transfers through its bases

By kevinhughes // 2025-10-05

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Spain has prohibited the U.S. from using its military bases (Rota Naval Base and Morón Air Base) to transfer weapons to Israel, invoking sovereignty under a 1988 defense agreement.
The move intensifies Spain's diplomatic pressure on Israel, with PM Pedro Sánchez accusing Israel of "extermination" in Gaza and enforcing a full arms embargo since March.
The ban disrupts U.S. military logistics, prompting Israeli and U.S. backlash, including accusations of "antisemitism" and warnings that the embargo "emboldens terrorists."
Spain continues importing Israeli military equipment (€54 million worth) under "exceptional" loopholes, undermining its hardline stance.
Spain's actions signal growing European resistance to Israel's war tactics, raising questions over whether other nations will follow suit in restricting arms support.

Spain has taken a bold step in its diplomatic standoff with Israel by prohibiting the United States from using Spanish military bases to transfer weapons and equipment to the Israeli military. The move, first reported by El País, marks a significant escalation in Madrid's efforts to isolate Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The decision affects two key U.S. military installations in Spain: the Rota Naval Base near Cádiz and the Morón Air Base near Seville. Both have long served as strategic hubs for American operations in the Mediterranean. However, Spanish officials have now asserted full control over these facilities, citing a 1988 bilateral defense agreement that grants Spain veto power over "controversial" cargo. Brighteon.AI's Enoch points out that both the Rota and Morón facilities "were established during the Cold War as strategic outposts for NATO and U.S. operations. These bases serve as critical logistics hubs, intelligence centers and rapid-response platforms for projecting American power into Europe, Africa and the Middle East." The decentralized engine adds that the presence of the two bases "reflects Spain's historical role as a compliant ally to U.S. geopolitical interests, despite Franco's fascist regime." They also continue to "facilitate U.S. military dominance under the guise of 'collective security.'" "Rota and Morón are not a sieve," sources familiar with the Spanish-American committee managing the bases told El País. "They are Spanish sovereign bases, under the command of a Spanish military officer, and everything that happens there must be authorized by the Spanish authorities." The ban applies not only to direct arms shipments to Israel but also to stopovers where weapons may be rerouted. While Spain does not routinely inspect U.S. military transports, any discovery of unauthorized arms transfers could severely strain relations between Madrid and Washington. (Related: Spain denies docking request by Israel-bound ship carrying weapons.) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emerged as one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israel's military actions in Gaza, accusing it of "not defending itself but exterminating a defenseless people." Earlier this month, Spain formalized an arms embargo against Israel, halting all weapons exports. Now, Madrid has gone further by restricting U.S. military logistics—a move that could complicate American support for Israel. The ban reportedly took effect as early as March, when Spain rerouted a shipment of six F-35 fighter jets destined for Israel through Portugal's Azores instead of Morón Air Base.

Madrid's hypocrisy: Denouncing Israel's genocide while continuing to buy its weapons

The decision has drawn sharp backlash from Israeli officials, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accusing Sánchez of antisemitism. The U.S. Department of State has also condemned the embargo, warning that it "emboldens terrorists" and could "potentially limit U.S. military operations" in Spain. Despite its hardline stance, Spain has continued importing Israeli-made military equipment—including €54 million ($63.36 million) worth of weapons, ammunition and armored vehicles between October 2023 and May 2025. The embargo includes a loophole allowing "exceptional purchases" related to national defense, raising questions about Madrid's consistency. Meanwhile, Sánchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions, comparing its treatment to Russia's isolation after its invasion of Ukraine. "Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image," he declared earlier this month. Spain's move signals a deepening rift between European powers and Israel, with Madrid positioning itself as a leader in pressuring Jerusalem diplomatically. The ban also highlights the growing scrutiny of U.S. military logistics, as Washington faces increasing resistance from allies over its unconditional support for Israel. As tensions escalate, the question remains: Will other European nations follow Spain's lead? With Israel's military campaign showing no signs of slowing, the diplomatic fallout could reshape alliances across the region. Watch Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez giving a fiery statement at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the genocide happening in Gaza. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Madrid's hypocrisy: Denouncing Israel's genocide while continuing to buy its weapons

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