Lorraine Williamson
Washington has stepped up pressure on Madrid amid growing concern that Spain could refuse port access to ships carrying goods destined for Israel. US officials have warned that Spain’s port policy may breach international trade norms, raising the possibility of sanctions or retaliatory measures.
At the centre of the dispute is the government of Pedro Sánchez, whose administration has taken a firmer stance than many EU partners in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The issue now risks becoming a wider diplomatic and trade flashpoint between two long-standing allies.
A policy shaped by Gaza
Spain’s port measures are part of a broader package announced in September 2025. The government introduced an arms embargo on Israel, tightened controls on air and maritime transport linked to weapons shipments, and increased support for Palestinian humanitarian organisations.
Sánchez framed the move as a moral and legal decision. Spain, he said, would no longer guarantee automatic access to its ports or airspace for vessels and aircraft involved in transporting arms connected to the conflict.
Madrid has repeatedly stressed that the aim is to help bring an end to the violence and protect civilians in Gaza, rather than to provoke confrontation with allies.
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Washington raises red flags
The response from the United States has been blunt. A senior State Department official described the Spanish measures as “deeply troubling”, warning they could interfere with US military logistics and be interpreted as tacit support for hostile actors.
While no sanctions have yet been imposed, the Federal Maritime Commission has opened a formal investigation. The commission is assessing whether Spain’s actions breach maritime and trade rules that underpin global shipping access.
Possible countermeasures being discussed in Washington range from financial penalties to restrictions on Spanish-flagged vessels entering US ports. One scenario reportedly under review would see Spanish ships barred from docking in the United States.
Talk of blacklists and legal fallout
Adding to the pressure, several US lawmakers – particularly Republicans – have urged the administration to consider placing Spain on a blacklist under the Ribicoff amendments. These provisions can penalise countries and companies seen as participating in boycotts against Israel.
Such a move would significantly escalate the dispute, with potential consequences for Spanish shipping firms and exporters reliant on US ports and trade routes.
Madrid pushes back
Spain’s government has rejected claims of a looming rupture. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has insisted that Spain is acting within its sovereign rights and in line with international law.
Albares has also downplayed talk of a serious clash, arguing that some US statements have been taken out of context. According to Madrid, relations with Washington remain broadly constructive despite clear differences over Gaza and Israel.
A standoff with global implications
The investigation by the Federal Maritime Commission is expected to take months. In the meantime, Spain appears unwilling to soften its position, even as diplomatic pressure mounts.
If no compromise is found, the dispute could spill beyond politics into trade, shipping, and wider EU-US relations. For now, Spain’s ports have become an unlikely frontline in the international fallout from the Gaza war.
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