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Spanish Coalition Faces Tension Over Israeli Ammunition Purchase
A dispute has emerged within Spain’s coalition government regarding a substantial ammunition order from an Israeli firm. The left-wing junior partners are urging the interior ministry to rescind a €6.6 million (£5.7 million) deal for millions of ammunition rounds from an Israeli company, alleging the agreement violates coalition terms and obstructs efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. This controversial ammunition purchase has ignited debate and scrutiny.
Prime Minister’s Criticism of Israel
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, leader of the socialist party, has openly questioned Israel’s adherence to international humanitarian law during the conflict in Gaza, describing the number of Palestinian casualties as “truly unbearable.” His strong stance has placed further emphasis on this divisive issue.
Initial Suspension and Subsequent Reversal
In October of the previous year, the interior ministry declared the cancellation of a purchase involving 15.3 million bullets from an Israeli company. This decision was rooted in the government’s pledge to abstain from both procuring and supplying arms to Israel following the escalation of armed conflict in Gaza. However, recent developments reveal a reversal of this stance.
Reports indicate that the acquisition of 9mm ammunition, intended for the Guardia Civil police force, will proceed as the interior ministry deemed the contract too advanced and expensive to nullify.
Sumar’s Response and Demands
This evident change in direction has sparked strong condemnation from the Sumar platform, founded by Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, one of Spain’s deputy prime ministers. Sumar has reacted with outrage to the continued sale of ammunition.
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The platform has characterized the contract as a “flagrant breach” of governmental commitments to suspend arms procurement from Israel and is adamantly calling for its immediate cancellation. Furthermore, they are demanding that Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska address the parliament to provide a detailed explanation of the situation. These demands highlight the growing rift within the government over this issue.
Key Demands and Statements from Sumar:
- “Our commitment to the Palestinian people is absolute.”
- Repeated calls for a complete embargo on weapons purchases from Israel.
- Severing of diplomatic ties with Israel.
- Imposition of sanctions.
- Support for the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.
Deeper Concerns and Internal Conflict
Members of Sumar have expressed even stronger reservations. Antonio Maíllo, coordinator of the platform’s United Left group, emphasized that they would not condone “any part of the executive financing a genocidal state.” He also stated that this issue has precipitated the most severe crisis to date between Sumar and the socialists. The procurement of ammunition has become a red line for some members.
Clash Over Defense Spending
The announcement that the contract would proceed occurred shortly after Sumar rejected Sánchez’s proposal to invest €10.5 billion to meet Spain’s NATO commitment of allocating 2% of its GDP to defense, labeling the plan as “incoherent” and “absolutely exorbitant”.
Interior Ministry’s Justification
Sources within the interior ministry have stated that the department began evaluating the possibility of annulling the contract six months prior and ultimately decided to proceed based on legal counsel. The ministry justified the ammunition decision based on financial and logistical reasons.
“Annulling the contract would have meant paying the company for the order without receiving the agreed materials, which are needed so that the Guardia Civil can fulfil its duties,” the sources said.
Commitment to Policy
Despite the controversy surrounding this particular contract, the interior ministry maintains that it is aligned with the government’s policy of neither selling arms to nor buying arms from Israel. The need for ammunition was weighed against these concerns.