‘Give people of Gaza free entry’: Israeli minister Ben Gvir mocks Spain after Madrid bans him

Spain bans Ben Gvir, Smotrich

Earlier, Madrid had announced a ban on Ben Gvir and Smotrich in retaliation for the Israeli ban on two Spanish ministers, accusing them of antisemitism. In response, Spain’s Foreign Ministry also recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv as the two countries sparred over the ongoing war in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (Photo: AP)

Arms embargo on Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also announced a full arms embargo on Israel, a ban on shipping and air traffic linked to the Israeli military, and restrictions on Israeli officials entering Spain.

Sánchez said the measures were intended to increase pressure on Israel over its war in Gaza. “What Israel is doing is not defending itself, it is exterminating a defenceless population,” he said in a televised address.

“We know that this will not be enough to stop the invasion or war crimes, but we hope it will increase pressure on the Israeli government, help alleviate some of the suffering of the Palestinian people, and ensure that the citizens of Spain know and feel that, in the face of this shameful event, their country was on the right side of history,” he said.