Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris urged the European Union to reconsider trade relations with Israel, on Tuesday, against the backdrop of its ban on the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), at a time when Spain canceled the purchase of ammunition for the police from an Israeli company.
Harris criticized the Knesset’s “despicable” ban on UNRWA, which is responsible for coordinating almost all aid arriving in Gaza, and told reporters in Dublin before a meeting with incoming European Council President Antonio Costa, “The most important action that the European Union can take now is to reconsider relations.” trade with Israel.
He added, “What Israel and the Israeli Knesset did last night was despicable, disgraceful, and shameful. More people will die, and more children will die of hunger.”
Harris warned that “there is no alternative” to UNRWA, and that he would discuss with Costa “how Europe must now find the moral courage…to act in this regard.” He stressed that “Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia and others call for more action at the European Union level.”
Spanish position
Meanwhile, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior said today that it had canceled a contract to purchase ammunition from an Israeli company, adding the purchase deals to Spain’s previous pledge not to sell weapons to Israel.
The ministry stated, in a statement, “The Spanish government remains committed to its pledge not to sell weapons to Israel since the beginning of the armed conflict in Gaza, and although in this case the matter relates to purchasing ammunition, the Ministry of the Interior has begun administrative procedures to cancel the purchase.”
She added, “Israeli companies will be excluded from any tenders that have not yet been decided upon.” She said that the tender for the contract was launched in February, and was awarded on October 21, with two out of three shares being awarded to an Israeli company.
Radio Cadena Ser had reported earlier that the Spanish Police Civil Guard forces had agreed to purchase more than 15 million 9mm rounds for $6.48 million from the Israeli company Guardian.
Spain had previously said in October 2023 that it would stop arms sales to Israel, when Israel’s war in Gaza began, which it says is targeting the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Strip.
It is noteworthy that Spain is one of the staunchest opponents within the European Union of the Israeli military campaign on Gaza, and more recently on southern Lebanon.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged other EU members two weeks ago to respond to Spain and Ireland’s request to suspend the free trade agreement between the bloc and Israel due to its actions.
Ireland, along with Spain, Norway and Slovenia, officially recognized earlier this year a Palestinian state that includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The four countries have been strong critics of the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Last February, both Dublin and Madrid asked the European Union to verify “urgently” the issue of whether Israel is complying with regard to human rights in Gaza under an agreement linking these obligations and trade relations.
These countries indicated that “the partnership agreement between the European Union and Israel makes respect for human rights and democratic principles an essential element in this relationship.”
