Spain's High Court Probes Sidenor for Alleged Weapon Sales to Israel

The Spanish High Court has opened an investigation into the privately-owned steelmaker Sidenor over allegations of selling steel for weapons manufacturing to an Israeli company, Israel Military Industries. This development is a potential legal fallout of Spain's ban on military-related deals with Israel.

Judge Francisco de Jorge is at the helm of this investigation, focusing on Sidenor's CEO Jose Antonio Jainaga Gomez and two executives for purported smuggling activities and complicity in crimes against humanity. The court claims that the sale was made with full awareness of the steel's intended use in weapon creation, bypassing government authorization.

Sidenor has reportedly engaged legal counsel and has committed to cooperating with the court's investigation. This case emerged following a complaint filed by Catalonia's Palestinian community, amid Spain's fortified embargo against any arms deals with Israel, rooted in its criticisms of Israel's activities in Gaza.