Three progressive House Democrats are calling for an end to a U.S.-led investigation into a key ally’s anti-Israel arms embargo.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, and Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, have asked the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), an independent agency that oversees maritime trade affecting the United States, to sent a letter regarding maritime trade. “The Israeli government and its decision to deny entry to a ship carrying weapons intended for the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
“This investigation is a reckless insult to Spain’s allies. Spain is simply seeking to faithfully implement its sovereign national policy and abide by international law, including its treaty obligations against genocide,” the hard-left lawmakers wrote.
“It is bad enough that the United States is violating similar obligations and domestic laws by sending these weapons. We urge you to immediately cease this obstruction of justice and reverse this misguided investigation.” ”
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Democratic Reps. Cori Bush (left) and Rashida Tlaib have been vocal critics of Israel. (Getty Images)
Spain, a long-time ally of the United States and a NATO member, has announced that it will suspend arms sales to Israel in the event of a war with Hamas in October 2023.
Since then, the Spanish government has been accused in three separate cases of denying entry to ports because the vessels were carrying weapons destined for Israel.
According to the Associated Press, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Álvarez told state television station RTVE about one of the incidents, which took place in May. “We need peace in the Middle East. This is why this first denial of authorization marks the start of a policy against ships carrying weapons to Israel wishing to enter Spanish ports.”
A press release said the FMC began the investigation earlier this month after receiving information “indicating that Spain has refused entry to certain vessels on at least three occasions this year.” “Two recent incidents involved U.S.-flagged vessels.”
The agency will now “investigate whether foreign government regulations and practices create disadvantageous conditions for shipping in U.S. foreign trade.”
On May 18, Palestinians surround a truck carrying humanitarian aid being brought in from a U.S.-built pier in the central Gaza Strip. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
However, House Democrats said, “Spain took the decision in early November to ban the Maersk Denver and Maersk Seletar from stopping in transit at the port of Algeciras, and the Marianne Danica at the port of Cartegena. We have made the decision to refuse port calls.” This step, taken in May, is a legitimate action by a sovereign state to ensure compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. ”
Mr. Tlaib, Mr. Bush and Mr. Lee have been the three most vocal critics in Congress since the Israeli government began its invasion of Gaza.
The campaign was launched in response to a Hamas surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Terrorists crossed the border and killed more than 1,200 Israelis in their homes and attending a music festival.
More than 45,000 people have been killed in the anti-Hamas response in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
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Port of Algeciras, Spain (Getty Images)
Three House Democrats have frequently accused the Biden administration of being unduly acquiescent to Israel, America’s closest ally in the Middle East.
It also argued that the United States had no standing to investigate Spain’s decision, arguing that “these actions do not threaten the reliable international maritime transportation supply system that the FMC is obligated to protect.”
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“No American agency should be in the business of punishing or sanctioning allies for enforcing international laws that our government refuses to abide by,” they wrote.
Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, decided to formally recognize the Palestinian state earlier this year.
Fox News Digital has reached out to FMC for comment.
Elizabeth Elkind is a political reporter for FOX News Digital, where she leads coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines can be found on the Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow @liz_elkind on Twitter and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
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