Spain freezes arms exports to Israel over Gaza op

[Karmadillo]

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.608900

The Spanish government decided to temporarily freeze arms and military technology exports to Israel over the offensive in the Gaza Strip, the Spanish daily El Pais reported on Monday.

Spain is the second country to announce sanctions over arms sale to Israel in the past 24 hours, after Britain said it was reviewing all arms export licenses to Israel. A similar move was taken by the British government after Operation Cast Lead in 2009.

The decision to freeze weapons exports from Spain to Israel was reached on Thursday, during a session of the inter-ministerial committee on arms manufacturing. Committee members include officials from the Prime Minister's Office, Economy Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

Arms exports from Spain to Israel are fairly limited. In 2013, weapons sale was 5 million euro – 1 percent of all Spanish security exports. Spain provides Israel with missile parts, fuses from hand grenades, mortar parts, electro-optical equipment and fire control systems.

Spanish officials told El Pais, however, that the purpose of the move was sending Israel a diplomatic signal. The decision will be reviewed again at the next committee session in September.

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[oldandhappy]

1. Thank you, Spain. Gracias

[lpbk2713]

2. Israel is running out of friends.

And rightfully so. Killing children while they sleep and targeting hospitals will do that.

[ReRe]

3. Thank you Spain. n/t

[potone]

4. Bravo Spain!

I wish our government would do that.

[phantom power]

5. Good for Spain. I hope we do too.

[Marrah_G]

7. We would never do that

We just give them more.

[phantom power]

9. I'm not holding my breath, but... I feel like a tipping point may have been reached

Israel has enjoyed a sort of moral benefit of the doubt for a long time, but WWII was 70 years ago.

[Marrah_G]

6. Imagine a world where weapons were not a product to make profits on.

That world would be a much more peaceful place.

[malaise]

8. Bravo Spain

Bibi really lost it.