Madrid, Spain – The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, recently granted a significant waiver to aerospace giant Airbus, allowing it to continue using Israeli technology in its Spanish production despite an earlier ban on military and dual-use products from Israel. This decision, approved in late December 2025, underscores a tension between Spain's pronounced anti-Israel rhetoric and its economic interests, particularly concerning the preservation of thousands of high-skilled jobs.
For months, the Sánchez government has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions, with Prime Minister Sánchez accusing Israel of "genocide" and formally recognizing a Palestinian state in May 2024. Spain imposed a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel in September 2025 and has actively urged the European Union to terminate its Association Agreement with Israel, citing violations of international law. Relations between Madrid and Jerusalem have deteriorated significantly amidst these diplomatic actions.
The waiver specifically permits Airbus to incorporate Israeli-made components into key projects such as the A400M and C295 transport planes, the A330 MRTT refuelling aircraft, and SIRTAP surveillance drones. These aircraft, produced at Airbus's Spanish facilities in Madrid and Seville, rely on Israeli technology, including advanced radars from Elta Systems and missile defense systems. Digital Transformation Minister Oscar Lopez confirmed that Spain had previously blocked approximately 200 attempts to acquire Israeli-linked materials.
The government justified the exemption by citing the "great industrial and export potential" of these Airbus projects, which are deemed "essential for preserving thousands of highly skilled jobs in Spain." Airbus employs around 14,000 people in Spain and contributes to 60% of the country's air and defense exports. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles defended the move, categorizing it as commercial rather than military, and stated that Airbus is working with the Ministry of Defence on a "plan to disconnect from Israeli technology."
The decision has drawn criticism, with Matthew Yglesias stating in a recent tweet, > "The Sanchez government in Spain is very committed to anti-Israel rhetoric but when push came to shove they gave waivers to help Spain-based Airbus production do deals that were good for the Spanish economy." Pro-Israel groups in Spain have also accused the government of hypocrisy, labeling the boycott efforts as "political theater" that ultimately proves "self-destructive" given Spain's reliance on various Israeli technologies. The move has also reportedly fueled internal tensions within Spain's ruling coalition.
