The Voice News: Spain has canceled a $325 million missile purchase order from the Israeli company Rafael, known as an arms supplier of the occupying force. For the past several months, the European country has been calling for an arms embargo on the occupiers and has also been canceling weapons purchase orders from them.
According to a report by Spanish media outlet Ara Daily on Tuesday (June 3), Spain’s Ministry of Defense has decided not to buy anti-tank missiles from Israel’s Rafael, which were worth $325 million.
On October 3, 2023, Spain signed an agreement with Israel to purchase anti-tank missiles. Just four days later, the Palestinian armed group Hamas attacked several illegal Israeli establishments, leading to the start of a war between the two sides.
Israeli company Rafael stated they have not been informed about the cancellation of the agreement by the Spanish government. However, as recently as last April, Madrid had canceled a separate deal to purchase 15 million bullets from Israel.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares recently told reporters that they would urge the European Union to immediately terminate all cooperative agreements with Israel. He also said they would request allied nations to impose an arms embargo on the occupiers.
In May 2024, Spain officially recognized Palestine as an independent state. Moreover, last month, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez labeled Israel a “genocidal state.” Due to Spain’s longstanding support for an independent Palestine, relations between Spain and Israel have remained strained.
