Albares underlined that Madrid’s decision reflects a “reciprocal response” to Israel’s measures and signals Spain’s continued opposition to the ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Spain on Tuesday barred two senior Israeli ministers from entering its territory in response to sanctions imposed by Israel on Spanish officials.
Following the Council of Ministers’ meeting, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have been added to Spain’s list of sanctioned individuals, the Anadolu news agency reported.
BREAKING: The Spanish government has approved a ban on entry to Spain for Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, reported Europa Press.
The measure is part of a broader package aimed at pressuring Israel to halt the genocide in Gaza.
The announcement was made… pic.twitter.com/FLSibpcTgY
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 9, 2025
Citing the Spanish news agency El Pais, Anadolu reported that Albares said the decision was taken because both are directly involved in promoting Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza.
Spanish Officials Sanctioned
The move comes after Israel announced sanctions against Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, as well as Minister of Youth and Children Sira Rego.
Both Spanish officials are now banned from entering Israel, and Israeli authorities said they would no longer maintain any official contact with them.
Albares underlined that Madrid’s decision reflects a “reciprocal response” to Israel’s measures and signals Spain’s continued opposition to the ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
No me dejen entrar amí… a los de Gaza, denles entrada libre a España.
— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) September 9, 2025
Ben-Gvir responded to the announcement by saying on X, in Spanish: “Don’t let me in… to those from Gaza, give them free entry to Spain.”
Sanctions Package
On Monday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a nine-point sanctions package against Israel over its genocide in Gaza, Spanish media reported.
“We know that all these measures are not going to be enough to stop the invasion or the war crimes, but we hope that they will serve to add pressure on Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and his government to alleviate part of the suffering that the Palestinian population is enduring,” he said.
Spain Announces Nine-Point Sanctions on Israel over Gaza Genocide
“What Israel is doing is not defending itself, it is exterminating a defenseless population,” Sanchez said in a televised address.
He said that although Spain has de facto been applying an export ban on weapons to Israel since 2023, the government will now urgently legislate a “permanent” ban.
Ships, Aircraft Banned
Madrid will also prohibit ships transporting fuel to Israeli forces from using Spanish ports. Aircraft carrying defense material will be banned from Spanish airspace.
Sanchez added that people “directly involved in the genocide, violating human rights and war crimes in Gaza” will be prohibited from entering Spain.
Other measures include banning imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, limiting Spanish consular services to Spanish citizens living in the occupied territories to the bare minimum, and increasing Spain’s presence in Rafah with additional troops and new joint projects with the Palestinian Authority to provide food and medicine.
Spain will also increase its contribution to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) by €10 million ($11.7 million) and commit €150 million in additional humanitarian aid for Gaza in 2026.
Ongoing Genocide
Since reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, Israel has continued its bloody aerial bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands of Palestinians.
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 64,500 Palestinians, with more than 163,000 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.
Israeli Army Orders Gaza City Evacuation amid Heavy Bombardment, Famine
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.
(Anadolu, PC)
