Italy, Spain Deploy Naval Ships to Assist Gaza Aid Flotilla
Italy and Spain have deployed naval ships to assist an international aid flotilla that has come under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza, potentially ratcheting up tensions with Israel, which strongly opposes the initiative.The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.The Italian defence ministry said a frigate that was dispatched on Wednesday…
US State Department Expresses Concern Over Ban of Israeli Shipments in Spanish Ports, Airspace
A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed concern on Wednesday over Spain's measures limiting access to Spanish ports and airspace to ships and planes carrying weapons for Israel."It is deeply concerning that Spain, a NATO member, has chosen to potentially limit U.S. operations and to turn its back on Israel on the same day six individuals were killed in Jerusalem. These measures embolden terrorists," the spokesperson said in an email sent to Reuters on Wednesday.The U.S.
Israel-Bound Weapons Ships and Planes Banned in Spanish Ports, Airspace
Spain on Monday banned ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from calling at Spanish ports or entering its airspace due to Israel's military offensive in Gaza, measures the Israeli foreign minister denounced as antisemitic.Spain, which recognised a Palestinian state in May 2024 and has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, responded to Gideon Saar's comments by summoning its ambassador in Tel Aviv back for consultations.On top of the ban on ships and aircraft delivering weapons or military-grade jet fuel to Israel…
Barcelona to Scale Back Cruise Capacity Amidst Overtourism Concerns
The port of Barcelona, Europe's busiest for cruise ships, will scale back its passenger terminal capacity by 2030 as the city tries to put the brakes on surging arrivals and address concerns about overtourism.The city hall and port authority agreed on Thursday to reduce the number of terminals to five from seven, lowering the port's capacity for simultaneously handling cruise ship passengers to 31,000 from 37,000 by the end of the decade.Barcelona recorded a 21% increase in cruise…
Spanish Coast Guard Rescues 50 Migrants off Canary Islands
Spain's coast guard rescued on Sunday (April 13) 50 migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands on an inflatable boat, the Spanish Red Cross said.The migrants, which included 45 men, four women and one minor, were taken to El Rosario port on Fuerteventura island.The boat was located 90 miles (144 kilometres) off the island of Lanzarote.
Spain Denies Port Call for Ship Taking Arms to Israel
Spain has refused permission for an Israel-bound ship carrying arms to call at the southeastern port of Cartagena, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said on Thursday.The Marianne Danica was carrying a cargo of arms to Israel and had requested permission to call at Cartagena on May 21, Puente said on X.It was carrying nearly 27 tons in explosive material from India's Madras, El Pais reported.The Foreign Ministry, which Puente said denied the authorisation, did not immediately reply to repeated requests for comment.H.
