Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday announced a permanent ban on arms sales to Israel and new sanctions aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its military offensive in Gaza.

In addition to the sales ban, Sánchez said that ships carrying fuel for Israel’s armed forces will be barred from Spanish ports, and aircraft transporting military materials will be prohibited from entering Spanish airspace.

“This is not self-defense, it’s the extermination of a defenseless people,” Sánchez said, accusing Israel of violating humanitarian law. 

Sánchez said the sanctions may not end the conflict but could “add pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to alleviate some of the suffering the Palestinian population is enduring.”

He added that individuals involved in what he termed genocide or war crimes in Gaza would be barred from entering Spain.

Israel quickly condemned the move. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the sanctions “antisemitic” and accused Sánchez of trying to distract from domestic scandals. 

Saar announced on X that Israel had barred Spain’s Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego from entering the country. Both ministers belong to the left-wing coalition partner Sumar. 

According to Saar, the travel ban comes in response to their statements labeling Israel a “genocidal state” and supporting initiatives to sanction or boycott the country.

Spain’s government has been a vocal critic of Israel’s war in Gaza. Last year, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in formally recognizing a Palestinian state and became the first European country to request UN court permission to participate in South Africa’s case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.