Spain backtracks on contract to purchase ammunition from Israeli company

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spain’s Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that it intends to pull out of a contract it had with an Israeli company to purchase ammunition.

Earlier in the day, Spanish broadcaster Cadena Ser reported that the ministry had closed a deal to purchase 15.3 million bullets from an Israeli company for around €6.7 million ($7.2 million).

The deal to buy the ammunition conflicted with the Spanish government’s recent claim that it has suspended all arms trade with Israel since Oct. 7, 2023.

However, shortly after the contract was reported, the Interior Ministry released a statement saying it had begun the process to rescind the procurement process, which was approved on Oct. 21, 2024.

“The Spanish government has maintained its commitment not to sell or purchase arms from the Israeli state since the outbreak of the armed conflict in Gaza,” the statement said.

It added that Israeli companies will be excluded from future arms procurement contracts.

Within the EU, Spain has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

Earlier this year, it formally recognized the Palestinian state.