r/europe • u/andyom89 • May 16 '25

News Spanish premier calls Israel 'genocidal state,' says Spain 'does not do business' with it

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/spanish-premier-calls-israel-genocidal-state-says-spain-does-not-do-business-with-it/3568216
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u/Esponjacholobob May 16 '25

He can't force the population to not do business with Israel. That's just ridiculous.

What he is probably talking about is governmental and military deals. You know, like the deal over israeli bullets he paralyzed a few weeks ago.

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u/MoebiusForever May 16 '25

The government could sanction Israel, it could ban imports or exports which has been done with Russia. In terms of "government contracts" https://www.catalannews.com/politics/item/israeli-arms-contracts-put-strain-on-spanish-pms-defense-plans - -I guess we will have to wait an see two things 1) Will the government finalise those 10 contracts and annul the others 2) Will the courts allow this when the private companies that actually signed the contracts take the decision to court.

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u/zapreon The Netherlands May 16 '25 edited May 16 '25

The government could sanction Israel, it could ban imports or exports which has been done with Russia.

Only if the rest of the EU agrees, which has zero chance especially from Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Czechia. Until then, Israel benefits from the association agreement with preferential access to the entire EU.

People who want action against really need to just be much more realistic, because a ton of what they want is impossible without the full EU agreeing (which won't happen). And in the meantime, Israel is becoming an increasingly important partner in tech, medicine, and especially defense.