Spain says it won’t allow ships carrying weapons for Israel to use its ports

In this photo provided by Manuel Hernandez Lafuente, the CMA CGM Symi is seen at port in Valencia, Spain, Oct. 22, 2023. (Manuel Hernandez Lafuente via AP)

Spain will not authorize ships carrying weapons for Israel to call at its ports, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says Friday, after the country refused to let a ship call at the southeastern port of Cartagena.

The ship was the first to be denied access to a Spanish port, Albares says, adding that the refusal was consistent with the government’s decision not to grant weapon export licenses to Israel since October 7, as Spain doesn’t “want to contribute to war.”