Spain intensifies criticism of Israeli offensive in Gaza. Israel responds with travel bans
apSEP 9
Spain Announces Nine Measures Against Israel, Including Arms Embargo
Above: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces measures against Israel from the Moncloa Palace, Madrid on Sept. 8. Image copyright: Borja Puig de la Bellacasa/Spain Presidential Press Office
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
These actions from Spain, which has a history of discrimination against Jews, are antisemitic and are dripping with hostile, anti-Israel rhetoric. It is clear that Sánchez has taken these measures to placate members of his strained coalition while seeking to divert from the serious allegations of corruption that have stained his government.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Spain condemned the Hamas attack and has repeatedly reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself. However, as the majority of scholars agree, its actions in Gaza have gone way beyond self-defense, and they amount to a collective punishment of the Palestinian people as a whole. Spain knows its actions will not by themselves stop Israel, but it hopes they will be a catalyst for other governments to take similar steps.