Government assures Sumar there are no Spanish soldiers in Israel

Eduardo González The Spanish Government has assured, in response to a parliamentary question by Sumar, a minority partner in the coalition cabinet, that "there is no contingent of the Armed Forces deployed in Israel." In a written parliamentary question, registered on October 3 and signed by its spokesman, Enrique Santiago, the Sumar Plurinational Parliamentary Group assures that the spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, Captain Roni Kaplan, "recently" declared to the Cuatro television channel that he had "been with Spanish soldiers in Israel these days" and that they had "congratulated him for having razed Gaza." “The mere fact of giving exposure and a platform to the representative of a State that is actively committing genocide, as reflected in the resolutions dated January 26, March 28 and May 24, all from this year 2024, of the International Court of Justice, already presents a controversial decision,” says Sumar. “On the other hand, what is truly worrying about these statements are the facts that they relate, and the alleged presence of Spanish military personnel in Israel,” it continues. Therefore, Sumar asks Pedro Sánchez's Executive if “the Government can confirm the presence of Spanish military personnel on Israeli soil” and, “if this presence is true,” if “the Government will verify whether there has been support from Spanish military personnel to the spokesman Kaplan, according to his own accounts.” “In the event that such support for genocide operations has occurred, will the Government initiate sanctioning measures,” continues Sumar. Finally, the party led by the second vice-president, Yolanda Díaz, asks “what measures will the Government take to prevent any Spanish military from participating in exchanges, contacts or collaborations with the Israeli Army, which is committing genocide and multiple military aggressions against the countries in the area.” In its response, signed on November 21, the Government assures that “there is no contingent of the Armed Forces deployed in Israel” and adds, “without prejudice to the above,” that “the Government of Spain has strongly condemned the attacks against Israel that began on October 7, 2023, advocating at all times for the proportional use of the right of self-defense.” “With the same forcefulness, this Government insistently demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon,” it continues. “Therefore, a very clear call has been made for restraint, de-escalation, compliance with United Nations Resolutions and respect for International Humanitarian Law, advocating a negotiated solution to the conflict based on the peaceful coexistence of two States,” it concludes.

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