On 17 December 2024, a coalition of over 1,200 Spanish jurists—including lawyers, judges, and prosecutors—gathered outside the Spanish Parliament in Madrid to present a petition urging the government to enforce a comprehensive arms embargo against “Israel”. The petition reflects growing concerns within Spain’s legal community regarding the ethical and legal implications of continuing military relations with “Israel”, particularly in light of recent conflicts and allegations of human rights violations.

This initiative aligns with a broader movement within Spain advocating for a reassessment of its military engagements with “Israel”. Notably, Spain had previously suspended arms sales to “Israel” in October 2023, a decision reaffirmed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has called on the international community to halt arms exports to “Israel” to prevent further escalation in the region.

Despite these official positions, reports have surfaced indicating that certain arms transactions continued beyond the suspension date. For instance, in November 2024, Spain reportedly exported ammunition to “Israel”, with the Secretary of State for Trade clarifying that the materials were intended for tests or demonstrations and corresponded to licences granted before 7 October.

The jurists’ petition underscores the urgency for the Spanish government to implement a more stringent and transparent embargo policy, ensuring that all military exports to “Israel” are unequivocally halted. This call is part of a wider European discourse, with countries like Ireland and Belgium also advocating for a review of military and trade relations with “Israel”.

As international scrutiny intensifies, the Spanish government’s response to this petition will be pivotal in shaping its foreign policy stance and its commitment to upholding international law and human rights standards.