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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/spain-cancels-e700marms-deal-with-israels-elbit-systems/">palestinechronicle.com</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">\u2018Reducing to Zero\u2019: Spain Cancels \u20ac700m Arms Deal with Israel\u2019s Elbit Systems</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">September 15, 2025</div></div>
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<img src="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Sanchez_Netanyahu_PC.png" alt="" title="Sanchez_Netanyahu_PC" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img" width="422" height="283" style="margin-right: 25px;">
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. (Design: Palestine Chronicle)
<blockquote>
<h3>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.</h3>
</blockquote>
<p>Spain has canceled a \u20ac700m ($820 million) deal to purchase artillery
systems from Israel\u2019s Elbit Systems, the second defense contract to be
scrapped, according to reports.</p>
<p>The PULS artillery system \u201cprovides a comprehensive solution for
launching unguided rockets, precision weapons and missiles for various
ranges,\u201d the Israeli Globes <a href="https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-spain-cancels-700m-elbit-artillery-deal-report-1001521663">reported</a>.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h4>Range of Arms</h4>
<p>The PULS system is a precision rocket launcher, the report stated,
\u201cable to fire \u201ca wide range of unguided and guided rockets \u2026 which can
hit targets 40 kilometers (24 miles) away.\u201d</p>
<p>The contract \u201cincluded the supply of 12 mobile launchers, radars, drones, support vehicles, ammunition, and recovery equipment.\u201d</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">¿Por qué se expulsó a Rusia tras la invasión de Ucrania y no se expulsa Israel tras la invasión de Gaza?</p>
<p>Nuestra posición es clara y rotunda: hasta que no cese la barbarie,
ni Rusia ni Israel deben estar en ninguna competición internacional más.
<a href="https://t.co/QlXsnWVKs5">pic.twitter.com/QlXsnWVKs5</a></p>
<p>\u2014 Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) <a href="https://twitter.com/sanchezcastejon/status/1967546041558872114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Citing the Spanish news agency EFE, the report stated that the
decision is part of Madrid\u2019s effort to \u201creduce to zero\u201d technological
dependence on Israel during its ongoing genocidal assault on the Gaza
Strip that has killed close to 65,000 Palestinians since October 2023.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h4>Banning Call</h4>
<p>Earlier on Monday, Sanchez called for Israel to be banned from international sporting competitions.</p>
<p>\u201cWhy was Russia expelled (from global sporting events) after the
invasion of Ukraine, but Israel allowed to remain after the invasion of
Gaza?\u201d Sanchez reportedly asked rhetorically during a meeting of
Socialist Party lawmakers in the Spanish parliament, Politico <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/pedro-sanchez-spain-calls-for-israel-to-be-banned-from-sporting-events/">reported</a>.</p>
<p>\u201cWhile barbarism persists, Israel cannot use international events to whitewash its presence,\u201d he added.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez held a rally in Málaga with Palestinian flags flying and on display across the big screens.</p>
<p>He took a moment to show his support for protesters opposing Israel\u2019s participation in La Vuelta cycling tour. <a href="https://t.co/y6xEc8wwxN">pic.twitter.com/y6xEc8wwxN</a></p>
<p>\u2014 Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) <a href="https://twitter.com/leylahamed/status/1967194976267522513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
<p>The 80th edition of Spain\u2019s 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.</p>
<h4>Protesters\u2019 Actions</h4>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Organizers confirmed the race could not continue due to the unrest.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Madrid: Thousands demostrating against the Israeli team\u2019s participation in Spain\u2019s cycling ride</p>
<p>They have torn down the barriers and the stage has been suspended</p>
<p>The Genocide Convention obligates to prevent and punish</p>
<p>The states are not doing it, the people are demanding it <a href="https://t.co/Wg6uSFPhn6">pic.twitter.com/Wg6uSFPhn6</a></p>
<p>\u2014 Olga Rodríguez Francisco \u270d\ufe0f (@olgarodriguezfr) <a href="https://twitter.com/olgarodriguezfr/status/1967284883291869491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Sanchez praised pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have taken place during the race.</p>
<p>\u201cFirst 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,\u201d Sanchez said at a Socialist Party
event in Malaga, according to RTVE.</p>
<p>Responding to Sanchez\u2019s remarks questioning Israel\u2019s participation in
global sports, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa\u2019ar accused Sanchez
\u201cand his Communist government\u201d of being \u201canti-semites and enemies of the
truth.\u201d</p>
<h4>Eurovision Song Contest</h4>
<p>Sanchez\u2019s statements come as pressure mounts for Israel to not be
allowed to participate in cultural events, including the annual
Eurovision Song Contest.</p>
<p>On Monday, Spain\u2019s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun reportedly said
that while the final decision lies with public broadcaster RTVE, radical
steps may be necessary if Israel participates.</p>
<p>He emphasized that Spain had already formally requested Israel\u2019s
exclusion and warned that the government would consider \u201cmeasures\u2026 if
not expelled,\u201d arguing that allowing Israel\u2019s presence would constitute
\u201cnormalizing\u201d its role in international forums amid the ongoing Gaza
offensive, Anadolu reported.</p>
<blockquote>
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">European state broadcasters are finally demanding
that genocidal Israel be banned from Eurovision and are promising to
withdraw if not. <a href="https://t.co/vJRhvtFvVU">pic.twitter.com/vJRhvtFvVU</a></p>
<p>\u2014 PACBI \u2013 BDS movement (@PACBI) <a href="https://twitter.com/PACBI/status/1967216184534909027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p>On Friday, Slovenia\u2019s 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.</p>
<p>The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has extended the deadline for
broadcasters to confirm participation until mid-December and is expected
to vote on Israel\u2019s eligibility during its next assembly in Geneva on
December 4 to 5.</p>
<h4><b>Ongoing Genocide</b></h4>
<p>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.</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/six-killed-in-tent-strike-as-israeli-bombardment-intensifies-in-gaza-city/">Six Killed in Tent Strike as Israeli Bombardment Intensifies in Gaza City</a></p></blockquote>
<p>In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a
man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of
Palestinians\u2014mostly children\u2014with hundreds of thousands more at risk.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><i>(PC, Anadolu)</i></p>
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