• Spain cancels a $7.5 million ammunition contract with an Israeli firm amid coalition tensions.
• The decision draws backlash from the leftist partner Sumar, who labeled it a "flagrant breach" of agreements.
• Despite criticism, Spain reportedly formalized 40 other arms contracts with Israeli companies since October 2023.
• Prime Minister Sanchez's administration faces challenges in maintaining legislative support.
• Public opinion is divided over the arms deal, reflecting broader societal conflicts regarding Spain's foreign policy.

The Spanish government has decided to unilaterally cancel a contract to purchase ammunition from an Israeli firm following significant pressure from its junior coalition partner, Sumar. This decision comes amidst accusations that the purchase would contradict the government’s pledges to suspend arms sales to Israel amid its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced mounting political pressure from within the ruling coalition, necessitating the cancellation of the deal valued at over $7.5 million, which would have supplied more than 15 million 9mm rounds for the Guardia Civil. Sumar has characterized the continuation of this deal as a "flagrant violation" of agreements made to form the coalition government, emphasizing the need for accountability in arms transactions, according to trtglobal and Reuters.

Despite pledges made in October 2023 to halt arms trade with Israel, reports indicate that Spain has awarded or formalized 40 arms procurement contracts with Israeli companies since then. This raises ethical questions surrounding the government's commitment to uphold its stated foreign policy, which includes a critical stance on Israeli military actions in Gaza. Media outlets report that the arms contracts total around €1.04 billion, further complicating the narrative of compliance with purported agreements concerning defense spending and arms purchases, as noted by aa and trtglobal.

The recent conflict within the coalition was exacerbated when Sanchez announced plans to increase defense spending substantially to meet NATO obligations, drawing further ire from Sumar leaders. The tensions have raised questions over the stability of the coalition, with commentators suggesting that such internal divisions may undermine the government's ability to govern effectively. The Interior Ministry defended its actions, citing legal opinions that breaking the original ammunition contract would incur significant financial penalties without receiving the goods, according to trtglobal and aa.

Public opinion remains sharply divided concerning the deal, with surveys indicating nearly equal levels of support and opposition among Spaniards. This reflects broader dissatisfaction with government actions regarding foreign policy, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Activists argue that continuing arms purchases during military operations against Palestinians undermines Spain's humanitarian commitments. While some analysts criticize the perceived inconsistency in government policies, arguing it can compromise judicial security for foreign relations, others maintain that internal coherence within the coalition is necessary for successful governance, highlighting voices from Al Jazeera.