Spanish PM Announces Urgent Measures Against Israeli Occupation Over Gaza Genocide

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MADRID, Sept 8 (KUNA) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Monday a package of nine urgent measures in response to what he described as "genocide" in the Gaza Strip, aiming to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on the Israeli occupation and increase humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.
Speaking from the presidential La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Sanchez stated that Spain wants to be on the right side of history. The first measure includes a total ban on arms sales and purchases involving the Israeli occupation government.
He added that Spain will also prohibit ships carrying fuel or weapons to the occupation from entering or passing through Spanish ports and will close its airspace to aircraft transporting military equipment to Israeli forces.
Sanchez further announced entry bans on individuals implicated in war crimes or human rights violations in Gaza, along with a trade embargo on goods produced in Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.
Spain will also reduce consular services provided to Spanish citizens residing in illegal Israeli occupation settlements to the minimum level of legal assistance.
He confirmed that Spain will boost its presence at the Rafah crossing and enhance support for the Palestinian Authority, allocating EUR 150 million (approx. USD 176 million) in 2026 to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza.
While acknowledging the limited impact of these steps, Sanchez said, Spain does not possess nuclear weapons and cannot stop the Israeli occupation's assault on Gaza alone, but we will not stop trying.
The move follows mounting domestic pressure from the leftist coalition Sumar and civil society groups demanding stronger action against Israeli policies. (end)
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