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Spain's PM wants Israelis banned from sports events over 'barbarism' in Gaza

The Guardian

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September 16, 2025

Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Israel to be barred from international sports competitions for as long as its "barbarism" in Gaza continues, as the government reportedly cancelled a contract worth nearly €700m (£600m) for Israeli-designed rocket launchers.

- Sam Jones

The cancellation, reported by local media, Haaretz and Agence France-Presse, came to light after Sánchez announced last week that his government would "consolidate in law" a ban on military equipment sales or purchases with Israel over Gaza.

The contract had reportedly involved the purchase of 12 rocket launcher systems made by the Israeli firm Elbit Systems, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies' military balance.

The prime minister has been a vocal critic of Israel's conduct in Gaza, accusing it of perpetrating a genocide against the Palestinians. Speaking a day after pro-Palestinian demonstrators forced a premature end to the Vuelta a España cycle race amid clashes with police, Sánchez said he had "a deep admiration" for those who had protested peacefully against the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team.

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