Spain Halts Arms to Israel, Other Nations Still Send 'Thoughts and Prayers'
Spain's lawmakers, in a narrow vote, decided to halt all exports of defense equipment and technology to Israel, and ban imports of similar goods. This follows months of escalating global condemnation over Israel's actions in Gaza. While leaders like President Biden verbally 'urged restraint' , his administration recently approved a new weapons package worth billions to Israel, including
2,000-pound bombs just weeks ago. It seems rhetorical disappointment doesn't quite equate to withholding the weapons that cause it. This Spanish move is a critical counter-narrative to the idea that western nations are monolithic in their support for actions defined by the ICJ as plausibly genocidal. Contrast this with the U.S. Congress, where, according to OpenSecrets.org data , AIPAC and
pro-Israel groups have funneled millions into campaigns, influencing votes on aid packages that keep these weapons flowing. Spain's parliament acts; others send their thoughts and prayers, along with precision-guided munitions.