A group of progressive House Democrats is urging U.S. authorities to halt an investigation into Spain's decision to refuse port entry to ships carrying arms to Israel, and the lawmakers argue that Spain should not be penalized for enforcing international law and upholding its sovereign rights.
Members of the far-left group known as the "Squad," are defending Spain's decision, which they claim is in line with international norms and a response to ongoing regional conflict, as Fox News reports.
The controversy stems from a letter written by prominent Democrats, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee, who reached out to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). The letter contests the FMC's probe into Spain's decision to deny passage to weapon shipments intended for Israel, specifically through incidents at Spanish ports.
The Spanish government's actions are part of a broader embargo against arms shipments to Israel linked to a conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The decision from Spain followed the outbreak of renewed hostilities in October 2023.
Spain's stance resulted in three specific occurrences this year where ships loaded with armaments toward Israel were denied port access. Key instances include the Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar being prevented from transiting through Algeciras in November, and the Marianne Danica being rejected at the Cartegena port in May. The FMC, an independent entity responsible for regulating maritime commerce affecting the United States, initiated an inquiry into Spain's refusals. Part of the FMC's mandate is to assess whether international rules or practices adversely affect U.S. foreign trade and shipping reliability.
The Democrats pushing back against this investigation emphasize the legitimacy of Spain's actions in observing international human rights and humanitarian guidelines. They claim that U.S. policies should align better with these international standards.
In the letter to the FMC, Tlaib, Bush, and Lee expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s approach to relations between the United States and Israel amid the conflict. The lawmakers regard the FMC’s investigation as an affront to Spain, a country they describe as acting in good faith with its treaty obligations. Statements from the legislators reflect concerns about U.S. involvement in the provision of weapons that might be used in actions violating international norms. They suggest the investigation by the FMC is a misstep and call for its immediate cessation.
The Middle East conflict in question started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in significant casualties. The ensuing military engagements have led to a high death toll in the region, notably in Gaza according to reports from local health authorities. Spain, along with other European countries like Ireland and Norway, previously took a notable diplomatic step by recognizing Palestinian statehood earlier in the year. This recognition forms part of Spain's broader commitment to international humanitarian principles.
According to Tlaib, Bush, and Lee, Spain’s choice to disallow the Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar from docking at Algeciras was a legitimate move from a sovereign nation. Their actions sought to comply with international law rather than disrupt global maritime supply systems.
The Spanish government, through its Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, articulated its desire for peace in the Middle East as the driving force behind the denied authorizations. Albares underscored that disallowing port entry to military shipments to Israel marks the beginning of a consistent policy for Spanish ports concerning arms shipments.
The letter from the House Democrats further challenges the idea that Spain’s actions impede the international ocean transport network. They stress that the FMC's focus should remain on ensuring such transport is fair and dependable, without punishing allies for upholding international principles.
In concluding their letter, the lawmakers contended that no U.S. agency should reprimand its allies for enforcing international laws where they perceive U.S. policies to have failed. They call for a reassessment of how U.S. foreign policy engagements, especially concerning arms trade, align with international human rights laws.
Through this contentious issue, the "Squad" members have highlighted the tensions inherent in balancing international diplomacy, U.S. relations, and humanitarian law. The outcome of this debate may well influence future actions in international arms policy and trade governance.
