Spain bars transit of US weapons to Israel
(MENAFN) Spain has decided to forbid the passage of American aircraft and naval vessels transporting weapons, ammunition, or military equipment intended for Israel through its bases in Rota (Cadiz) and Moron de la Frontera (Seville), according to reports from officials familiar with the joint US-Spain defense framework.
“Rota and Moron are not a backdoor,” the sources stated. They emphasized that both sites remain sovereign Spanish installations under national command, and any operations require approval from Madrid.
The decision comes as the United States continues to be Israel’s main supplier of arms for its campaign in Gaza, where more than 66,000 people have been killed.
While Spanish authorities have publicly maintained a careful tone, they underline that, despite their commitment to the bilateral defense pact with Washington, shipments of weapons bound for Israel are subject to limitations. Officials also highlighted that, even without inspecting American cargo directly, trying to conceal such transfers would damage trust between allies, particularly given the large volume of weapons being supplied.
An example cited was the delivery of six F-35 fighter jets to Israel earlier this year. Instead of routing through Spain, they stopped in the Azores before flying across the Strait of Gibraltar.
The defense cooperation agreement, originally signed in 1988 and revised several times since, permits US forces to operate from Spanish territory under defined conditions. Aircraft permanently stationed in Spain have freedom of movement, while all other flights require prior authorization.
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