Spain Scraps USD1.18B Arms Contracts with Israel
(MENAFN) Spain has moved to cancel two major arms contracts with Israeli defense firms—together valued at nearly €1 billion (roughly $1.18 billion)—as part of a broader crackdown following Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recently unveiled measures targeting Tel Aviv.
The Spanish Defense Ministry has officially scrapped agreements involving the acquisition of Silam high-mobility rocket launchers and Spike L.R. anti-tank missile systems from Israeli-linked manufacturers.
The canceled deals include €700 million ($826 million) worth of Silam launchers from Rheinmetall Expal Munitions and EM&E, and a €287.5 million ($339 million) contract for 168 Spike missiles awarded to PAP Tecnos Innovacion SA—the Spanish branch of Israel’s Rafael defense company.
According to media, citing sources within the government, the cancellation process is nearing completion and is expected to receive final approval next week.
In tandem, the Defense Ministry is developing a strategy to sever military technological ties with Israel and is exploring alternative partnerships.
This development follows Prime Minister Sanchez’s announcement last week of nine sweeping actions aimed at halting what he described as a genocide in Gaza. These measures include a permanent arms embargo on Israel, bans on importing goods from occupied Palestinian territories, and the prohibition of entry to Spain for certain far-right Israeli Cabinet members.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified, with Israel’s military campaign killing nearly 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023. The enclave remains under extreme devastation and faces imminent famine.
On Tuesday, a United Nations inquiry confirmed that Israel’s conduct in Gaza constitutes genocide. "It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention," said Navi Pillay, chair of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Separately, Israel is currently defending itself against a genocide lawsuit at the International Court of Justice related to its ongoing military offensive in Gaza.
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