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Spain denies port call for ship carrying arms to Israel
Spain has refused permission for an Israel-bound ship carrying arms to call at the southeastern port of Cartagena, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says.
Albares confirmed reports the Marianne Danica vessel is carrying a cargo of arms to Israel and requested permission to dock at Cartagena on May 21. He said refusing permission was consistent with Spain’s policy to ban the exports of all arms to Israel since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October.
“We have detected this ship, we have refused to allow it to dock, and I can tell you that this will be a consistent policy with any ship carrying Israeli arms and arms cargo that wants to dock in Spanish ports,” Albares told reporters in Brussels.
Marianne Danica is carrying nearly 27 tonnes of explosive material from Madras, India, the El Pais newspaper reported.
US House passes symbolic bill forcing Biden to send arms to Israel
The US House of Representatives passed legislation aimed at forcing the administration of US President Joe Biden to reverse his decision to halt a shipment of bombs to Israel amid its invasion of Rafah.
The bill proposes slashing budgets for the offices of the defence secretary, secretary of state and the National Security Council unless Biden chooses to send the 3,500 heavy-duty bombs in the delayed shipment.
The measure passed 224-187, with 16 Democrats joining Republicans in supporting it and three Republicans voting against the bill.
But the bill is believed to be largely symbolic and an attempt to display bipartisan anger with the decision to hold the bombs. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he does not plan to allow a vote on the bill, and Biden has pledged to veto it.
The Biden administration has stressed it is not altogether stopping weapons exports to Israel and is reportedly preparing to send another shipment worth over $1bn to Israel that includes tank ammunition.
Rep. @MarioDB reminds us how we got here.
The Biden Administration has broken their commitment to Israel by withholding vital security resources appropriated in U.S. law.
These tools are not only critically needed, but they were also requested by President Biden himself. pic.twitter.com/txFXWfbwA5
— House Appropriations (@HouseAppropsGOP) May 16, 2024
Israel to abolish free trade deal with Turkey in retaliatory move
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel will abolish its free trade agreement with Turkey and also impose a 100 percent tariff on other imports in retaliation for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to halt exports to Israel.
The plan, he said, would be submitted to the cabinet for approval.
Earlier this month, Turkey said it was stopping exports to Israel during the duration of Israel’s war on Gaza citing a “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territory.
“His [Erdogan’s] announcement of the stoppage of imports to Israel constitutes a declaration of an economic boycott and a serious violation of international trade agreements to which Turkey has committed,” Smotrich said in a statement.
He noted Israel’s actions would only last as long as Erdogan remained in power. “If, at the end of Erdogan’s term, the citizens of Turkey elect a leader who is sane and not a hater of Israel, it would be possible to return the trade route with Turkey.”
Erm, how is this retaliatory? He's only further cementing sanctions against Israel.
