Sanchez announced the measures taken against Israel without taking questions at the Prime Ministry building (Moncloa) in Madrid.

‘THEY ARE DESTROYING A DEFENSELESS PEOPLE’

"What Israel is doing in Gaza is not defense, it is the destruction of a defenseless people," said Sanchez, adding,"As Spain, we cannot stop Israel's attacks alone. We don't have atomic bombs, aircraft carriers, or large oil fields, but that doesn't mean we will stop trying to stop Israel."

‘ISRAEL IS COMMITTING GENOCIDE’

Recalling that, according to United Nations (UN) records, Israel has killed more than 63,000 people in its attacks on Gaza and the West Bank in the last two years, injured more than 15,900 people, caused hunger in 250,000 people, and displaced approximately 2 million people, half of whom are minors, Sanchez stated more than once that"Israel is committing genocide."

‘9 ADDITIONAL ACTION DECISIONS WERE TAKEN’

Emphasizing that stopping Israel is not something that Spain alone has the power to do, but that they have been making efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire over the last two years, both through humanitarian aid and political and legal steps, Sanchez said,"Spain has decided on nine additional actions that will take effect immediately to stop the genocide in Gaza and support the Palestinian people."

‘THERE WILL BE AN ARMS EMBARGO’

Sanchez stated that the first of the nine sanctions to be imposed on Israel will be the arms embargo, saying,"It will be the urgent approval of a royal decree that legally reinforces the arms embargo against Israel, which has been in effect de facto since October 2023. This royal decree will legally and permanently ban the purchase and sale of weapons, ammunition and military equipment to Israel."

NETANYAHU MAY BE BANNED FROM ENTRY TO SPAIN

Sanchez also announced that ships carrying fuel for the Israeli armed forces are prohibited from passing through Spanish ports, and all aircraft carrying defense equipment for Israel are prohibited from passing through Spanish sea and air routes. He added,"All individuals directly involved in genocide, human rights violations and war crimes in the Gaza Strip will also be prohibited from entering Spain."

This sanction is expected to cover Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and all members of his government.

IT WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW

Other sanctions Spain has decided to impose on Israel include a ban on imports of products from Palestinian territories seized by Israelis, restrictions on consular services for Spanish citizens residing in these territories, increased cooperation with the State of Palestine, increased staffing at the EU aid mission at the Rafah Border Crossing and on a number of projects, a €10 million increase in the contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and an increase in humanitarian aid and cooperation for Gaza to €150 million.

The sanctions against Israel announced by Sanchez are expected to be approved at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting and come into effect immediately.