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Spain Sanctions Israel over Gaza "Genocide"
(Times of Israel) Nava Freiberg - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Monday an arms embargo and partial import ban over Israel's wartime conduct in Gaza, aiming to "stop the genocide in Gaza." In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar imposed sanctions on two Spanish ministers - Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz and Minister of Children and Youth Sira Rego. "It is no longer possible to avoid imposing personal sanctions on members of the Spanish government who have crossed every red line. The entry of these ministers into Israel is prohibited, and Israel will not maintain any contact with them," Sa'ar said. "The government of Spain is leading a hostile, anti-Israel line, marked by wild, hate-filled rhetoric," Sa'ar said. The Spanish government's statements and policy are "tainted" with antisemitism. He accused Spanish politicians of "overt antisemitism." He later said, "If [Spain wants] to halt defense ties with Israel, who do you think will lose from that? We don't need Spain to defend the Land of Israel. On the contrary, they probably need Israeli capabilities far more than we need theirs." Sanchez's announcement came as Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a crowded Israeli bus stop, killing six people including Spanish-Israeli dual national Yaakov Pinto, 25. In response to Sa'ar's accusations, Spain's Foreign Ministry said it was recalling its ambassador.