Sánchez’s rear plan and the controversial purchase of bullets in Israel: two sides of the new defense policy
After the announcement of the government of Pedro Sánchez of the thus called as Rearmament plan, The investment in defense was located at the center of the political debate after confirmation of the president that Spain will reach this year the goal of allocating 2% of GDP to security and defense, in line with the commitments acquired with NATO. But the first day of this ambitious plan, which includes the development of the national industry of military armament and technology, was spladhed by the controversial purchase of bullets in Israel who was about to be canceled by the outbreak of the Gaza War.
In the middle of this context of growing military expenditure, the formalization by the Ministry of the Interior of the purchase of more than 15 million bullets A The Israeli Company Guardian Defense & Homeland Security Sa., For the value of 6.6 million eurosintended for the civil guard. It was a purchase of Mapchery 9×19 Millimeters Semibland Born, used in calls calls “Ramon“, Which were purchased in January 2023 from the inside towards the same company.
A correction with moral inconsistencies
This contract was awarded on 22 October 2024 by this company that worked in Spain for more than 15 years and only a few days after its announcement that the executive wanted to stop the contract due to the situation of the Israelite nation in the conflict of the Middle East. Interior sources consulted underlined that a week later the study was started on the possible termination of the contract.
However, after the end of the legal analysis and the warning of the state defense on the risk of facing a strong compensation if the contract has been terminated, Interior has finally decided to maintain the purchase Despite its strong position contrary to the Netanyahu government.
The formalization took place on April 16, In the middle of Holy Weekand suppose A adjustment relating to the initial political commitment to exclude Israeli companies from the processes of acquisition of the military material while the offensive persists in Gaza.
Disputes in the networks and protests from addition
This operation generated criticism Both in the political and social sphere, highlighting the tension between the international commitments of Spain in defense and the positions adopted by the government against the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While the executive defends the need to guarantee the supply of essential material for safety, Organizations and parties have questioned the consistency of government foreign policy and human rights in a moment of accelerated back.
The coincidence between the announcement of the Rearme de Sánchez plan and the formalization of the purchase of bullets in Israel underlines the challenges and contradictions that Spain must face in its safety strategy, In an international context marked by the war in Ukraine, NATO pressure and instability in the Middle East.
In addition, this initiative has increased roughness in one of the most important partners of the executive, the left party Summer. As these media could know, during the congress of the political organization he left trumpet against Sánchez to ask him to cancel the purchase contract. Of course, for now ... Nobody threatens political measures that compromise government support.
