El Pais: Madrid prevents the passage of US weapons to Israel
The Spanish El Pais newspaper, reported that the Spanish government, which imposes a complete ban on arms exports to Israel due to the genocide in Gaza, hasn’t allowed US arms shipments to pass through the Rota military port in Cadiz and the Morón de la Frontera military air base in Seville.
El Pais newspaper reported, citing sources in the Spanish-American Joint Commission, which manages the Rota and Morón de la Frontera bases, where US soldiers are stationed, that US aircraft or ships carrying weapons, ammunition, or military equipment bound for Israel have been banned from passing through these bases.
The Spanish newspaper pointed out that Rota and Morón de la Frontera are military bases under Spanish sovereignty, and that any activity there must be approved by the Spanish authorities.
El Pais reported that, due to Spanish resistance, the United States used a base in Portugal’s Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean to provide logistical support during its delivery of six F-35 fighter jets to Israel in March and April.
Commenting on the El Pais report, Spanish Justice Minister Felix Bolaños said in a press statement, “The Spanish government is in constant contact with US authorities to prevent weapons used against innocent Palestinians from reaching Israel”.
Last Tuesday, the Spanish government approved a royal decree imposing a comprehensive ban on arms supplies to Israel, under the umbrella of sanctions labeled “Combating Genocide in Gaza and Supporting the Palestinian People”.
Sanctions on Israel include a ban on the import of products originating from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and on advertisements for such products.
