The United States will be able to continue sending weapons to Israel through Spanish bases with hardly any problems. That is the conclusion reached by the sources consulted and deduced from analyzing the Cooperation Agreement for Defense between the American country and Spain, signed in 1988. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented a list of nine government measures yesterday to toughen its stance against Israel and try to halt the war in Gaza. Among them, the third point includes the "denial of entry into Spanish airspace to all state aircraft carrying defense material destined for Israel." This directly puts the focus on the United States, the main partner of the Middle Eastern country with whom it signed a contract a year ago to sell a package of military equipment worth 17 billion euros, including 50 F-15 fighter jets to be delivered starting in 2029.
It is precisely President Donald Trump who is the main supporter of Netanyahu's actions against the people of Gaza, even giving the green light to plans regarding the city of Gaza. Therefore, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated yesterday on his X account: "Israel will inform its allies about the hostile conduct of the Spanish government and the antisemitic and violent nature of its ministers' statements. It is important that Israel's allies worldwide understand the dangerous nature of the current government in Spain."
The aforementioned agreement between Spain and the United States will not be reformed, according to sources consulted, and the United States Air Force will not have to disclose the final destination of its flights. The agreement stipulates that the US Department of Defense must inform Spain through a Permanent Committee, composed of members from both countries' defense departments, about the flights and the cargo they carry. However, sources consulted by this newspaper, including personnel who have been part of these processes, are categorical. "Once the law is made, there's always a loophole; the measure is completely ineffective," they explain.
They argue that flights with "hot cargo," as it is called in the jargon when they carry military material, may not provide much information to the transit country, which would be Spain in the case of a stopover. "They have to explain what they are carrying, but not the final destination. Ideally, they should communicate a complete flight plan, but often, they only communicate the stop in Spain or look for another stop in a Gulf country to continue to Israel, thus losing track of the aircraft," they insist.
The way the agreement between the two countries is structured means that they do not have to provide many explanations about the use of the aircraft. This was evident last June when the United States used its deployment in Rota and Morón to station tanker aircraft used for in-flight refueling. These aircraft were used to refuel the tanks of the fighters involved in the Midnight Hammer operation against Iran. At that time, sources from the Air and Space Force consulted by this newspaper explained that the Americans do not disclose the reason for their presence at the bases or how the aircraft will be used. The Embassy confirmed to this newspaper yesterday that they always comply with the Cooperation and Defense Agreement.
If the Permanent Committee, under the Ministry of Defense, is responsible for controlling air traffic and stopovers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also has a role in maritime stopovers. Among the nine measures promoted by Sánchez is also the "prohibition of transit through Spanish ports for all ships carrying fuel destined for the Israeli armed forces." This measure falls under the Directorate-General for Economic Diplomacy, led by Trade Officer Ana Esmeralda Martínez Sáenz.
Until now, entry was prohibited for specific ships, especially when it became public and various political groups complained. Although sources consulted by this newspaper state that several ships have been unable to dock in national ports - the Overseas Santorini had to cancel its stop a year ago when it was discovered that it was carrying 300,000 barrels of military fuel destined for Israel - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided the exact number since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023.
Defense relations between the United States and Spain are a priority for the Trump Administration. An understanding that goes beyond the percentage of investment in the sector and has been growing since the cooperation agreement for the Morón and Rota bases was signed. Thus, a few months ago, the fifth American destroyer arrived in Cádiz, and it is expected that a sixth ship of this type will dock next year. In 2015, the agreement on the use of the Morón base was renewed, allowing for the presence of 2,200 military personnel and 500 civilians. Meanwhile, in Rota, there are about 4,500 troops deployed for the interests of the United States and NATO.