Reports said a vessel carrying explosives, which was denied access to Spanish ports, was destined for the Israeli port of Haifa. Reuters
Reports said a vessel carrying explosives, which was denied access to Spanish ports, was destined for the Israeli port of Haifa. Reuters
Reports said a vessel carrying explosives, which was denied access to Spanish ports, was destined for the Israeli port of Haifa. Reuters
Reports said a vessel carrying explosives, which was denied access to Spanish ports, was destined for the Israeli port of Haifa. Reuters

Spain vows to turn away ships carrying weapons to Israel


Tim Stickings
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Spain will stop any ship carrying weapons to Israel from docking at its ports, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Friday.

Ministers say one such vessel, the Danish-flagged Marianne Danica, has already been stopped as Spain leads calls in Europe for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The Middle East does not need more weapons. It needs more peace," Mr Albares told Spanish broadcaster RTVE. "If there is a ship bound for Israel with weapons, we are not going to allow the stopover."

There was confusion as activists demanded a second vessel, the Borkum, be stopped from docking in Cartagena over fears it was delivering arms to Israel.

The government said campaigners had got the wrong boat and that the Borkum was heading to the Czech Republic, not the Middle East.

However, left-wingers remained concerned on Friday that the Czech Republic could be an intermediate stop on the way to Israel.

Spain could become a "transit country" for arms shipments to Israel after attacks on shipping on the Red Sea route, said Ione Belarra, the leader of left-wing party Podemos.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain has authorised no new arms shipments to Israel since the war in Gaza erupted. EPA
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain has authorised no new arms shipments to Israel since the war in Gaza erupted. EPA

Reports said it was carrying 27 tonnes of explosive material from Madras, in India, to the port of Haifa in Israel.

By contrast, the Borkum was carrying ammunition to the Czech Republic for Soviet-era weapons that Israel does not use, the government says.

Mr Albares said Spain has not approved any arms export licences for Israel since the war broke out after the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Arms debate

Pressure is mounting on others in Europe to take a similar stance, with the likes of UK and Germany being challenged in court over arms sales to Israel.

A Dutch court in February ordered the government to halt to export of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel, prompting similar lawsuits in France and Denmark.

Meanwhile, Germany defeated a bid by Nicaragua to get the International Court of Justice to demand an end to arms sales to Israel.

Spain has been one of the EU's most vocal critics of Israel, suggesting the bloc could cut trade ties if it finds there are human rights breaches in Gaza.

Several EU countries including Spain and Ireland are preparing to recognise a Palestinian state, with an announcement possible as soon as next week.

Key developments

All times UTC 4

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
LAST-16 FIXTURES

Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

TICKETS

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')

Fulham 0

Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)

Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

THE SPECS

Engine: six-litre W12 twin-turbo

Transmission: eight-speed dual clutch auto

Power: 626bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh940,160 (plus VAT)

On sale: Q1 2020

RESULTS

Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO

Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke

Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke

Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO

Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision

Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision

Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO

Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)

Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)

Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision

Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke

Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO

Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision

Huroob Ezterari

Director: Ahmed Moussa

Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed

Three stars

The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

Results

6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar

7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed Dh250,000 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh250,000 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson

9.25pm The Garhoud Listed Dh250,000 1,200m Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

10pm Handicap Dh160,000 1,600m Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

While you're here
Updated: May 17, 2024, 1:51 PM