Spain blocks US from sending military aid to Israel via its bases

After imposing an arms embargo on Israel, Spain bars US military shipments via its air bases, ports and airspace.

By World Israel News Staff

The Spanish government has banned the United States from shipping military aid to Israel through American bases in Spain, naval ports used by the U.S. Navy, and Spanish airspace, according to a local media report.

Earlier this month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced sanctions on Israel, including a total arms embargo.

In addition, the Sánchez government was reportedly considering a more expansive ban on weapons transfers to Israel — a move that would prevent ships carrying weapons to Israel from docking at Spanish ports, or aircraft bearing military equipment destined for Israel from using Spanish air bases.

On Monday, the left-leaning Spanish daily El País reported that Madrid has indeed imposed such restrictions on American military transports.

Citing officials familiar with security coordination between the Spanish and American militaries, the report said Spain has invoked the terms of the 1988 defense agreement that granted the U.S. military access to Spanish air bases and naval ports.

Under the 1988 agreement, Madrid reserves the right to impose “certain limitations” on American use of its bases. One clause gives Spain a veto over the transfer of “controversial” passengers or cargo through Spanish bases and ports.

The United States and Spain jointly operate the Rota Naval Station in Cádiz on the Atlantic coast, and the U.S. Air Force shares the Morón Air Base near Seville with the Spanish Air Force.

“These bases are under Spanish sovereignty, and everything that passes through them requires authorization from the authorities,” the officials told El País. “Rota and Morón are not a sieve.”

According to the report, Spain quietly imposed the ban on weapons transfers through its territory as early as March. A delivery of six American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets to Israel was routed through the Portuguese Azores, the report noted, rather than through Morón.

arms embargoPedro SánchezSpain