Spain cancels $825M 'Israeli' arms deal

Spain has moved to cancel nearly a billion euros’ worth of weapons contracts linked to 'Israeli' firms.

According to documents published on Spain’s official public contracts platform, Madrid has halted a 700 million euros (USD 825 million) agreement for 12 SILAM rocket launcher systems, which were based on the 'Israeli'-made PULS design from Elbit Systems. The deal, awarded to a consortium of Spanish companies, was struck down on September 9, following earlier media reports.

The following day, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that his government would “consolidate in law” a ban on all arms sales and purchases with 'Israel'. He said the measures were aimed at helping stop what he described as “the genocide in Gaza.”

Another contract, worth 287 million euros (USD 337 million), for 168 anti-tank missile launchers licensed from an 'Israeli' manufacturer, has also been terminated. Spanish daily La Vanguardia reported that the government is undertaking a wider review to phase 'Israeli' weapons and technology out of its armed forces altogether.

Sánchez, who has become one of Europe’s sharpest critics of 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza offensive, has repeatedly pushed for stronger accountability. Relations between Spain and 'Israel' have steadily deteriorated, with Tel Aviv leaving its ambassadorial post in Madrid vacant since Spain recognized the state of Palestine in 2024. Tensions rose further last week when Spain recalled its own ambassador from 'Israel' following heated exchanges over the new restrictions.

The Barcelona-based Delàs Centre, a security and disarmament think tank, estimated earlier this year that since the war began, Spain had awarded 46 contracts worth more than USD 1 billion to 'Israeli' companies.