Bravo, Spain, Bravo!!!
Every country in the world should follow Spain's lead.
Today is a a red-letter day. I published yesterday and today—a rarity for me since my rule is that I write when moved to do so.
This one has been prompted by a report I spotted at SOTT (Signs of the Times). The article is dated November 1, 2024 by Press TV entitled “Spain bars Israel from 2025 security expo over Gaza, Lebanon genocide.”
Spain is barring Israel from the International Defense and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) to be held in Madrid during May 2025.
In a statement released on Thursday, Spain's Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce said that Israel and its companies are excluded from the International Defense and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF), which is scheduled to be held in Madrid next year.
The decision to exclude Tel Aviv is reportedly due to Israel's atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon,
Amparo in her remarks confirmed that the decision was taken in the light of Spain's commitment to peace in Palestine and Lebanon and adherence to international humanitarian law.
FEINDEF, one of the world's top 10 defense fairs, is expected to host over 400 companies and will take place in Madrid from May 12 to 14.
The developments also come following an incident where international delegates, including Spanish people, were attacked by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.
The delegation included former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Jaume Asens, who were accompanying Palestinians harvesting olives when Israeli forces used tear gas on Monday.
Moreover:
Also on Tuesday, the Spanish government canceled a contract to buy ammunition for its Civil Guard police force from an Israeli company.
“The Spanish government maintains the commitment not to sell weapons to the Israeli state since the armed conflict broke out in the territory of Gaza,” Spain’s Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday.
“Although in this case it is an acquisition of ammunition, the Interior Ministry has initiated the administrative procedure to cancel the purchase,” it added.
Spain’s Civil Guard police force reportedly agreed to purchase over 15 million nine-millimeter rounds for $6.48 million from Guardian LTD Israel.
Spain earlier confirmed that it would stop arms sales to Israel in October 2023 when Israel launched an aggression on the besieged Palestinian territory.
Palestine last month welcomed a call by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to halt weapons exports to Israel amid its attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.
Spanish Foreign Minister has called on signatories of the Arms Trade Treaty “to act decisively to end Israel's use of arms and military equipment to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, human rights, and against Palestinian civilians."
Spain’s actions include:
Not hosting Israel as a participant in an international convention with a product Israel sells worldwide.
Refusing to sell weapons or munitions to Israel.
Refusing to buy from an Israeli company.
These actions should be the actions adopted and implemented by all countries. A few countries have stepped up. Canada, Spain, and the Netherlands are not supplying any weapons or munitions. UK has joined with a partial arms embargo to Israel.
From The National News:
Netherlands
Policy on Israel: A Dutch court blocked the sale of F-35 parts to Israel in February, ruling there was a "clear risk" of humanitarian violations….
Spain
Policy on Israel: Spain's Foreign Ministry announced in February that no arms sales to Israel had been approved since October 7.
In May, it went further still by announcing any ship carrying weapons to Israel would be banned from docking at Spanish ports….
Canada
Policy on Israel: Canada has not granted new export licences for Israel since January 8, "given the rapidly evolving situation", Foreign Minister Melanie Joly says.
According to trade officials, older permits that remain valid with respect to Israel are for the sale of "non-lethal goods".
Even the U.S. is beginning to balk. In June 2024, Netanyahu issued a recorded 50-second hissy fit condemning the U.S. for withholding a shipment of weapons to Israel. He tried to shame the U.S. and Blinken publicly.
From the UPI (United Press International): Netanyahu related the information in his recorded spiel that he had told Sec. of State Blinken “…that it was ‘inconceivable’ that the Biden administration ‘has been withholding weapons and ammunitions to Israel.’”
Whoa, buddy. Did you get that? He’s ordering Blinken to ship the weapons by trying to publicly shame the U.S. Netanyahu is demanding that the U.S. stop interfering in shipments to Israel from the U.S. as if he owns America.
Who the hell does he think he is?
The story behind this attempted public shaming of the U.S.?
In May, the administration blocked a single shipment of 2,000-pound, unguided bombs to Israel over concerns over their potential use in a now ongoing campaign in the southern Gazan city of Rafah.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the time defended the pause, stating they are not the best weaponry to be used in dense city warfare.
Well…I guess Austin would know. Would Netanyahu’s insistence that the weapons be shipped over Austin’s objections give a clue to the actual warfare conducted? These weapons “are not the best to use in dense city warfare.” I think this is polite language that they’re overkill.
One last salvo before I end for tonight. Are you aware that the Biden administration has authorized 1,000 CIA-trained mercenaries to enter Gaza under Israeli directions to contain the area? Here’s the plan from Dan Cohen.
The plan, approved by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, calls for the Israeli military to clear out pockets of Palestinian resistance, which it has failed to achieve, demonstrated by the recent killing of Israeli Colonel Ehasn Daksa, the highest ranking officer to lose his life in the year long war.
48 hours after stamping out resistance, they plan to erect separation walls around the neighborhood, forcing its residents, and no one else, to enter and exit using biometric identification under the CIA contractors’ control. Those who do not accept the biometric regime would be refused humanitarian aid.
This plan, first reported by Israeli journalist Shlomi Eldar, allocates $90 million for the residents to rebuild their homes, and calls to appoint a “local sheikh” to the position of "head of the council.”
Well, howdy. What do you think about that plan, Americans? Like it? Do you think biometric ID is justified to allow people to live alongside you? Of course, we can always think of these “bubbles” as Israeli’s mini-15 minute cities. More to the point, will this type of action actually stop Hamas fighters? What do you think Christian Conservatives?
Laughing out loud.
Netanyahu, go to hell. And every single clown in Congress who voted for weapons and munitions to Israel with no understanding or oversight of the situation outside of Israeli Propaganda Press aka U.S. mainstream/conservative alt press and skewed CIA/State Department “briefings,” go to hell. You all can stop clapping down and sit down like the good seals you are. Netanyahu has stopped publicly flagellating you…which you evidently so enjoy.
Great article.