Saturday 16 August 2014

Spain suspends sales of military arms to Israel over Gaza operation


Spain suspends sales of military arms to Israel over Gaza operation


Israel purchased some $6.5 million worth of Spanish arms in the past year, about 1% of the country's total defense exports.
Ynetnews 
On Thursday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo stated in Congress that the amount of Gaza civilian deaths as a result of the bombings in the Strip were “heart-rending,” and while he recognized Israel’s right to defend its citizens, he also asserted that the IDF should take proportionate action "under respect for protection that civilians deserve, which is no less than a manifestation of international humanitarian rights,” reported El Pais.Spain has resolved to momentarily ban sales of military arms to Israel due to the conflict in Gaza, government sources stated last week, according to Spanish newspaper, El Pais.

Over the past year, Israel's purchases of Spanish weaponry cost €4.9 million ($6.5 million), about one percent of the country’s total defense exports. Previously, the sales ban has also been put on Egypt, Ukraine and Venezuela, according to the report.

The Spanish government said it will review this suspension at their upcoming meeting in September.

The Independent reported that the UK was also evaluating their sale of £8 billion ($13.5 billion) in military equipment to Israel.

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