What's happened
Spain has canceled a deal for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems valued at €285 million, citing a desire to disconnect from Israeli technology. This decision follows Spain's arms embargo on Israel and its recognition of Palestinian statehood, amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of the Cancellation
- Political Shift: Spain's decision underscores a significant shift in its foreign policy, moving away from military cooperation with Israel amidst rising tensions in Gaza.
- International Relations: This cancellation may strain Spain-Israel relations further, especially as Spain has taken a leading role in advocating for Palestinian rights.
- Defense Strategy: The potential pivot to American-made Javelin missiles indicates a strategic realignment in Spain's defense procurement, possibly influenced by NATO considerations.
- Broader Context: Spain's actions reflect a growing trend among European nations to reassess their military ties with Israel in light of humanitarian concerns in Gaza. This could lead to increased pressure on Israel from other EU member states as well.
- Future Outcomes: As Spain continues to advocate for Palestinian statehood and human rights, it may inspire other nations to follow suit, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape in the region.
What the papers say
According to The Times of Israel, the cancellation affects a deal for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems, which was finalized shortly before the Gaza war began. The article notes that Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced internal pressure to cancel the deal after initially supporting it. The New Arab highlights the government's commitment to disconnect from Israeli technology, while The Independent emphasizes Spain's recognition of Palestinian statehood as a pivotal moment in its foreign policy. AP News corroborates these points, detailing the broader implications of Spain's arms embargo on Israel and its legal actions against Israel in international courts.
How we got here
The deal was approved on October 3, 2023, just days before the outbreak of the Gaza war. Spain's leftist government has since halted arms exports to Israel, reflecting a shift in its foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Go deeper
- What led to Spain's decision to cancel the deal?
- How will this affect Spain's relationship with Israel?
- What are the implications for European defense policies?
Common question
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Why Did Spain Cancel the Missile Deal with Israel?
Spain's recent decision to cancel a significant arms deal with Israel has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about its implications on international relations and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This cancellation, which involves 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems, is part of a broader shift in Spain's foreign policy. Here are some common questions surrounding this pivotal moment.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., known as RAFAEL or Rafael, is an Israeli defense technology company. It was founded as Israel's National R&D Defense Laboratory for the development of weapons and military technology within the Israeli Ministry of