Spain refuses to allow a ship carrying weapons for the Israeli occupation to dock
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez confirmed on Thursday that Madrid refused to allow a ship carrying an arms shipment destined for Israel to dock in one of its ports.
The Spanish minister told reporters in Brussels: "This is the first time we are doing this, because it is the first time we have spotted a ship carrying an arms shipment to Israel that wants to dock in a Spanish port."
He added that from now on "the same will apply to any ship carrying weapons to Israel that wishes to dock in a Spanish port."
"The State Department will systematically reject these dockings for a clear reason: the Middle East doesn't need more weapons, it needs more peace."
Spanish Transportation Minister Oscar Puente said it was the Marian Danica, which requested permission to stop at the port of Cartagena in southeastern Spain on May 21.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Pais, the Danish-flagged ship carrying about 27 tons of explosives set off from Madras, India, to Haifa.
Spain, which has halted arms sales to the Israeli occupation, is one of the most vocal European voices criticizing Israel's aggression against Gaza.
According to the Spanish website Empresa Exterior, the Spanish Exporters and Investors Club said that trade relations between Spain and Israel are deteriorating at a gradually accelerating rate.
According to the Spanish Exporters Club, Spanish exports to the Israeli occupation fell by 32% in January and by 35.6% in February compared to last year.
The Spanish government is expected to officially recognize the Palestinian state later this May, joining a list of more than 140 UN member states that have already done so.
Source: Watan News Agency
