Israeli legal advocacy organization Shurat HaDin has filed a complaint against Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before the International Criminal Court, alleging he aids war crimes through exports of components to Iran.

The complaint, based on Article 15 of the Rome Statute, claims Spain approved the export of dual-use products worth approximately EUR 1.3 million - components that, according to the organization, could function in detonators and explosive devices. "These are not innocent industrial products, but critical components enabling explosive devices," the complaint states.

The Madrid-Tel Aviv diplomatic war

Relations have been in freefall since 2023. After the October 7 Hamas attack, the Spanish socialist premier sharply criticized Israel's campaign in Gaza, then recognized Palestinian statehood. Sánchez also opposed US-Israeli military operations against Iran, drawing fierce pushback from Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu barred Spain from participating in the US-led Gaza post-conflict stabilization initiative, accusing it of leading a diplomatic campaign against Israel. Both countries recalled their ambassadors.

Legal experts are skeptical the complaint will go far - Shurat HaDin is known for lawsuits that serve more as diplomatic pressure tools than legal proceedings. But the mere fact that a Western European government is being sued for "aiding war crimes" because it criticizes Israel - that's a new reality. Is criticism of a military operation a war crime? A question for our time.