Spain stops the US using its bases to fuel Israel's genocide, as Unite falters

Spain stops the US using its bases to fuel Israel’s genocide, as Unite falters

Spain has taken steps to stop its US ally from using Spanish bases as a stepping stone to fuel Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Newspaper El País has reported that:

Spain has vetoed the transit through the bases of Rota (Cádiz) and Morón de la Frontera (Seville) of planes or ships from the United States loaded with weapons, ammunition, or military equipment for Israel.

This includes shipments heading both directly to Israel and to the apartheid state as the final destination.

Spain apparently doesn’t plan to carry out inspections, and will not ask what arms are present on US boats. But it says the US would severely damage the countries’ relationship if it tried to deceive its NATO ally.

In March and April, the Spanish government apparently asked the US not to fly six F-35 planes to Israel over its territory. These planes have participated in the decimation of Gaza since 2023, and the UK government has faced intense criticism for continuing to supply parts for such aircraft.

Spain has also cancelled arms deals with Israel, supported international efforts to hold the settler-colonial power to account, and currently has a ship ready to rescue members of the humanitarian flotilla after a likely Israeli attack.

European dockworkers prepare action. Where are UK unions?

In recent days, Italian dockworkers have spoken to trade unionists from other countries, including Spain, Greece, Germany, France, Cyprus, and Morocco. They’re aiming to coordinate efforts to limit arms shipments to Israel, particularly as the apartheid state ups its attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission.

In Italy, one union leader has stressed:

If they attack the flotilla there will be a general strike and, if Israel doesn’t alter course in Gaza, a total trade blockade

Italian dockworker Romeo Pelliccaria tells that Genoa workers are now coordinating with dockworkers from around Europe for a full-scale blockade of arms shipments to Israel. pic.twitter.com/O3n5ik1V5O

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) September 29, 2025

Italian dockers have been a shining light in recent weeks, with massive protests rocking the country and pushing the right-wing government to send a ship to accompany the flotilla and rescue humanitarians following probable Israeli piracy.

However, while UK trade unionists favour action to prevent arms going to Israel, UNITE has actually faced criticism for ‘undermining’ such efforts:

Leaders of Britain’s trade union UNITE, which represents dockworkers, have been actively undermining efforts to halt arms shipments through British ports, a bitter irony given that Britain’s dockworkers union was a founder and hosted Maritime Unions Against Apartheid, which… https://t.co/HJ5orJgwBF

— Ashok Kumar | 🇵🇸 (@broseph_stalin) September 26, 2025