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Spain bans Israel bound weapons ships and aircraft over Gaza

Spain banned Monday ships and aircraft that carry weapons to Israel to enter its ports or airspace in response to Israel's offensive against Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Minister called the measures antisemitic.

Spain, which recognized a Palestinian State in May 2024, and has been vocal in its criticism of Israel's action in the Gaza Strip responded to Gideon Saar’s comments by calling back its ambassador in Tel Aviv for consultations.

The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that it will not allow anyone to enter Spain who is directly involved in the "genocide", in Gaza.

Israel denies that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide. It is currently fighting a case before the International Court of Justice at The Hague in which it has been accused of genocide.

Israel began its attack on the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants, who controlled the territory, had attacked Israeli communities and killed 1,200 people, while capturing over 250 hostages.

Saar claimed that Sanchez was using these measures to distract attention from corruption scandals at home. He also announced an entry ban for Sanchez's deputy Yolanda Diz and Youth Minister Sira Regio. Both are members of the hard-left Sumar party, which is the junior partner to Sanchez's coalition.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has said that the entry ban imposed by Israel is unacceptable. It also stated that Sanchez's actions were in line and reflect Madrid's support of peace, human right and international law.

Spain is committed to combating antisemitism. It cited the fact that 72,000 Sephardic Jews, descendants of those who were expelled from Iberian Peninsula during the 15th century, have been granted Spanish citizenship.

The ministry issued a statement in which it condemned the "terrorist attack in East Jerusalem" that took place on Monday, in which Palestinian gunmen opened up at a bus station, killing six people including a Spaniard living in Israel. (Reporting and editing by Inti Latona and David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Helen Popper and Charlie Devereux)

(source: Reuters)