The Spanish government has formally suspended a $7.5 million ammunition contract with Israeli defense firm IMI Systems following increasing political pressure from far-left coalition partners.
The move comes after mounting political pressure from far-left coalition partners and amid widespread criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The contract, signed earlier this year, was for the purchase of 15 million rounds of ammunition to supply Spain’s Civil Guard, a semi-military police force. However, the deal faced opposition, particularly from within Spain’s governing coalition, leading to the government’s ultimate decision to halt the purchase.
In an official statement provided to Political Uprise News, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the decision to suspend the contract was in full compliance with established regulations and Spain’s broader political commitments. The Ministry clarified that the contract’s termination was in line with Spain’s policy to suspend all arms trade with Israel in the wake of the Gaza conflict.
Spain Suspends $7.5M Ammunition Deal with Israeli Firm Amid Political Pressure
The Ministry also confirmed that the contract would be rescinded in accordance with the procedures set by the Junta Interministerial Reguladora del Comercio Exterior de Material de Defensa y de Doble Uso (JIMDDU), which is responsible for regulating arms trade.
The Ministry reiterated that the suspension of the contract was based on “general interest,” referring to Spain’s commitment to avoid supporting military operations in Gaza. Furthermore, the Ministry acknowledged that the legal and financial implications of the suspension are still under review, with the state attorney’s office and other relevant ministries exploring potential reactions and claims.
The suspension follows a review process initiated by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior in October 2024 to examine the feasibility of terminating the contract. After receiving legal advice from the state attorney’s office, which cautioned against immediate termination due to potential financial and legal complications, the government initially decided to honor the deal. However, increasing pressure from far-left factions within the coalition, including protests from Sumar ministers, ultimately led to the final decision to cancel the deal.
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A government source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that after exhausting all negotiation avenues, the prime minister and involved ministries decided to rescind the contract with IMI Systems. This action reflects Spain’s broader political stance against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Spain has been vocal in its criticism of Israel’s actions.
The Ministry of the Interior’s decision also prompted concerns about the future of Spain’s defense cooperation with Israel. With the suspension of the ammunition deal, questions arise over the stability of future defense ties between the two nations, particularly as European countries increasingly grapple with the political ramifications of their defense procurement decisions.
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The Israeli Embassy in Madrid, when contacted, has shown reluctance to respond to inquiries regarding the suspension, raising further questions about the diplomatic consequences of this move. Although the embassy has not issued an official comment, the diplomatic impact of this decision is expected to be significant.
