Spain denies docking permission to Israel-bound US vessels

Spain has denied docking permission for two US vessels suspected of transporting weapons for Israel, amid Tel Aviv’s genocidal war on Gaza. 

The Maersk Denver, which left New York on October 31, and the Maersk Seletar, which left on November 4, “will not stop in Spain", a spokesman for the Spanish foreign ministry told El Pais newspaper on Thursday.

This comes as Spanish lawmaker Enrique Santiago had asked the attorney general to adopt measures “in view of the arrival on the 9th and 14th of this month of two cargo ships from the United States bound for Israel that are going to transit through [the Port of] Algeciras."

He warned that their docking in Spain would constitute a violation of the country's penal code.

In May, Spain decided to ban ships carrying weapons for Israel from docking at its ports as the country doesn't "want to contribute to war."

However, an investigation by the two NGOs: Progressive International and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) earlier this week showed that US cargo ships carrying weapons to Israel stopped at the southern port of Algeciras in the Mediterranean Sea during at least 25 journeys between May and September this year.

Commenting on the report, a foreign ministry spokesperson told the media, “We are studying the information with the ministries responsible for the control and entry of goods into the national territory to clarify what happened.”

“If the information is confirmed, all necessary measures will be taken. The MFA has made and continues to make repeated appeals to tighten controls so as to ensure strict compliance with its decisions on this matter.”

European Parliament member Irene Montero said, “We can clearly state that Spain is violating the law.”

“Even if the official destination of the military material is not Israel, if there are indications that the material could reach Israel and be used in a way that constitutes a human rights violation, the Spanish government should also prohibit the transit of those arms,” she added.

Spain cancels arms deal with Israeli company worth billions over Gaza war

The Spanish government has canceled a contract to buy ammunition for its Civil Guard police force from an Israeli company.

Spain was among several countries, including Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia, that recognized Palestine as a state in late May.

Spain was also the first European state to back the case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Since Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the regime has killed at least 43,469 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 102,561 others.

Last week, Spain canceled a contract to buy ammunition for its Civil Guard police from an Israeli firm, widening a Spanish pledge not to sell weapons to Israel to include purchases too.

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