ALBAWABA - Due to worries that two American ships, the Maersk Denver and the Maersk Saltar, could be transporting weapons that might be sent to Israel, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that it would forbid them from landing in its ports. Maersk Saltar left New York on November 4 and Maersk Denver left on October 31.
Enrique Santiago, a Spanish legislator, called for legal action, claiming that permitting these warships to land would "violate Spain’s criminal code." This decision comes after his demand. In May, the Spanish government had earlier declared that ships carrying military hardware and weapons to conflict zones would not be permitted to enter Spanish ports.
Despite this restriction, at least 25 U.S. weapons shipments allegedly arrived at the Port of Algeciras between May and September, according to claims from pro-Palestinian and left-leaning NGOs.
The spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry responded by confirming that these accusations are being looked into by the appropriate authorities. The spokeswoman underlined Spain's commitment to strict port monitoring to avoid any breach of its position on weapons imports by saying, "If confirmed, the government will take all necessary steps."
