[News] ‘Reducing to Zero’: Spain Cancels €700m Arms Deal with Israel’s Elbit Systems

[Anti-Imperialist News]

palestinechronicle.com
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/spain-cancels-e700marms-deal-with-israels-elbit-systems/>
‘Reducing to Zero’: Spain Cancels €700m Arms Deal with Israel’s Elbit
Systems
September 15, 2025
------------------------------
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro
Sanchez. (Design: Palestine Chronicle)

The cancelation follows the decision by the Spanish Defense Ministry in
June to suspend another deal with Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense
Systems worth $310 million.

Spain has canceled a €700m ($820 million) deal to purchase artillery
systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems, the second defense contract to be
scrapped, according to reports.

The PULS artillery system “provides a comprehensive solution for launching
unguided rockets, precision weapons and missiles for various ranges,” the
Israeli Globes reported
<https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-spain-cancels-700m-elbit-artillery-deal-report-1001521663>
.

The cancellation follows the decision by the Spanish Defense Ministry in
June to suspend another deal to purchase Spike LR 2 anti-tank missiles from
Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems worth $310 million.

The Elbit deal was signed in October 2023, wherein Elbit was to collaborate
with Spanish companies to manufacture the artillery systems locally,
according to Haaretz.
Range of Arms

The PULS system is a precision rocket launcher, the report stated, “able to
fire “a wide range of unguided and guided rockets … which can hit targets
40 kilometers (24 miles) away.”

The contract “included the supply of 12 mobile launchers, radars, drones,
support vehicles, ammunition, and recovery equipment.”

¿Por qué se expulsó a Rusia tras la invasión de Ucrania y no se expulsa
Israel tras la invasión de Gaza?

Nuestra posición es clara y rotunda: hasta que no cese la barbarie, ni
Rusia ni Israel deben estar en ninguna competición internacional más.
pic.twitter.com/QlXsnWVKs5 <https://t.co/QlXsnWVKs5>

— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) September 15, 2025
<https://twitter.com/sanchezcastejon/status/1967546041558872114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>

Citing the Spanish news agency EFE, the report stated that the decision is
part of Madrid’s effort to “reduce to zero” technological dependence on
Israel during its ongoing genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip that has
killed close to 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced last week nine measures
aimed at stopping what he called genocide in Gaza, including barring
extremist Israeli Cabinet ministers from Spain, imposing a permanent
weapons embargo, and banning imports from the occupied Palestinian
territories.
Banning Call

Earlier on Monday, Sanchez called for Israel to be banned from
international sporting competitions.

“Why was Russia expelled (from global sporting events) after the invasion
of Ukraine, but Israel allowed to remain after the invasion of Gaza?”
Sanchez reportedly asked rhetorically during a meeting of Socialist Party
lawmakers in the Spanish parliament, Politico reported
<https://www.politico.eu/article/pedro-sanchez-spain-calls-for-israel-to-be-banned-from-sporting-events/>
.

“While barbarism persists, Israel cannot use international events to
whitewash its presence,” he added.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez held a rally in Málaga with Palestinian flags
flying and on display across the big screens.

He took a moment to show his support for protesters opposing Israel’s
participation in La Vuelta cycling tour. pic.twitter.com/y6xEc8wwxN
<https://t.co/y6xEc8wwxN>

— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) September 14, 2025
<https://twitter.com/leylahamed/status/1967194976267522513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>

This comes after the prime minister expressed support for protesters who
demonstrated against the participation of an Israeli team in the Vuelta a
España cycling race.

The 80th edition of Spain’s premier cycling event was halted around 57
kilometers from the finish line as demonstrators occupied streets along the
planned route, the Anadolu news agency reported, citing Spanish news agency
EFE.
Protesters’ Actions

Protesters blocked the Paseo del Prado, a key avenue in Madrid, leading to
clashes with police. Images showed cyclists at a standstill near the Royal
Palace gardens, awaiting an escort from security forces. Riders were later
taken to team vehicles or directed to their hotels under police protection.

Organizers confirmed the race could not continue due to the unrest.

Madrid: Thousands demostrating against the Israeli team’s participation in
Spain’s cycling ride

They have torn down the barriers and the stage has been suspended

The Genocide Convention obligates to prevent and punish

The states are not doing it, the people are demanding it
pic.twitter.com/Wg6uSFPhn6 <https://t.co/Wg6uSFPhn6>

— Olga Rodríguez Francisco ✍️ (@olgarodriguezfr) September 14, 2025
<https://twitter.com/olgarodriguezfr/status/1967284883291869491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>

Sanchez praised pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have taken place during
the race.

“First of all, our recognition and absolute respect for the athletes, but
also our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilize for just causes
such as that of Palestine,” Sanchez said at a Socialist Party event in
Malaga, according to RTVE.

Responding to Sanchez’s remarks questioning Israel’s participation in
global sports, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Sanchez “and
his Communist government” of being “anti-semites and enemies of the truth.”
Eurovision Song Contest

Sanchez’s statements come as pressure mounts for Israel to not be allowed
to participate in cultural events, including the annual Eurovision Song
Contest.

On Monday, Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun reportedly said that
while the final decision lies with public broadcaster RTVE, radical steps
may be necessary if Israel participates.

He emphasized that Spain had already formally requested Israel’s exclusion
and warned that the government would consider “measures… if not expelled,”
arguing that allowing Israel’s presence would constitute “normalizing” its
role in international forums amid the ongoing Gaza offensive, Anadolu
reported.

European state broadcasters are finally demanding that genocidal Israel be
banned from Eurovision and are promising to withdraw if not.
pic.twitter.com/vJRhvtFvVU <https://t.co/vJRhvtFvVU>

— PACBI – BDS movement (@PACBI) September 14, 2025
<https://twitter.com/PACBI/status/1967216184534909027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>

On Friday, Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV Slovenija announced that the
country will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to
return next year. The move, framed as an act of solidarity with Palestine,
reflects a position first voiced at the EBU General Assembly in July.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has extended the deadline for
broadcasters to confirm participation until mid-December and is expected to
vote on Israel’s eligibility during its next assembly in Geneva on December
4 to 5.
*Ongoing Genocide*

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support,
launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so
far resulted in the deaths of more than 64,900 Palestinians, with more than
164,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced,
and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II.
Thousands of people are still missing.

Six Killed in Tent Strike as Israeli Bombardment Intensifies in Gaza City
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/six-killed-in-tent-strike-as-israeli-bombardment-intensifies-in-gaza-city/>

In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a
man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly
children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold
Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for
genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war
criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially
wanted by the International Criminal Court.

*(PC, Anadolu)*
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