Madrid torpedoes billion-euro defense contracts with Israel, deepening the diplomatic war as Prime Minister Sánchez brands Gaza war a “genocide.”
Spain has taken its most radical step yet against Israel, axing nearly €1 billion worth of military contracts in a dramatic escalation of hostilities between Madrid and Jerusalem.
According to AFP, the Spanish government on September 9 formally cancelled a €700 million deal for Israeli-designed SILAM rocket launcher systems, a localized version of the Elbit Systems PULS platform, just a day before Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez unveiled his decree banning all future arms transactions with Israel.
The blow didn’t stop there. Madrid also scrapped a €287 million contract for 168 anti-tank missile launchers licensed from an Israeli company, signaling what insiders describe as a wholesale purge of Israeli defense technology from Spain’s arsenal. Spanish daily La Vanguardia reported that a full review is underway to phase out all Israeli military hardware.
This sweeping rupture comes amid a mounting diplomatic war. Sánchez has repeatedly accused Israel of committing “genocide in Gaza,” placing him among Europe’s most strident critics of the Jewish state.
- In November 2023, Israel summoned Spain’s ambassador after Sánchez charged that Israel was “violating international law and carrying out indiscriminate killings.”
- In April 2024, Sánchez blasted Israel’s “disproportionate response” in Gaza, warning it could destabilize “the Middle East—and the entire world.”
- In May, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares openly called for international sanctions against Israel.
The hostility reached fever pitch this month. After Sánchez boasted on live television that Spain had no nuclear bombs, carriers, or oil wealth to counter Israel, Netanyahu’s office accused him of making a “blatant genocidal threat.” Days later, Sánchez provoked outrage by praising anti-Israel protesters who disrupted the prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race until it was cancelled.
Jerusalem’s response was scathing. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar lashed out:
“Sánchez and his government—a disgrace to Spain!”
The cancellation of the arms contracts now cements Spain’s break with Israel, turning what began as a war of words into an economic and military boycott. With nearly €1 billion in deals gone, analysts warn Madrid’s decision could have far-reaching implications—not only for Spanish-Israeli relations, but for Europe’s wider defense and geopolitical posture.
