Greenpeace activists splash red paint on Madrid’s Neptune Fountain to protest arms sales to Israel

MADRID (AA) - Greenpeace activists threw red paint Friday on the historic Neptune Fountain in central Madrid to denounce Spain’s arms sales to Israel amid the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The environmental organization shared images and footage on social media platforms, with a stark message:

“We dyed the Neptune Fountain red with blood: Stop the genocide of the Palestinian people.”

Greenpeace said in a statement that immediate international action is needed:

"Our message is very clear: An immediate arms embargo on Israel. All activities that support war crimes against the Palestinian people must be banned. Arms trade with Israel must end."

The group cited alarming casualty figures and the extent of Spain’s military trade with Israel.

“Since Oct. 7, more than 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza. Meanwhile, Spain has made at least 46 contracts with the Israeli military industry, worth over 1.044 billion euros ($1.17 billion),” Greenpeace stated.

The statement sharply criticized what it described as international complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza:

"After the Israeli army unilaterally violated the ceasefire on March 18, it intensified its military assaults with the support of US President Donald Trump and the cooperation of the EU. Since then, Israel has imposed a new illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip, preventing the entry of food, medicine, and essential supplies. This is a war crime that leads to hunger, malnutrition, disease, and death. Some European governments, including Spain, continue their commercial relations with Israel, including arms trading. In fact, there has been an intensification of military trade between Spain and Israel," it said.

Greenpeace has called on the Spanish public to participate in a nationwide protest May 10 in Madrid to rally opposition to the military operations in Gaza and Spain’s continued arms dealings with Israel.

In response to growing criticism, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the matter earlier this week in parliament.

He asserted that Spain had suspended all arms trade with Israel since the start of its military operations in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, and disputed reports suggesting otherwise.

Sánchez pointed to a canceled bullet purchase contract made by the Spanish gendarmerie with an Israeli firm, calling reports of ongoing trade “false.”

He clarified that other acquisitions involved “items like helmet-mounted lighting devices, bulletproof vests, and explosive detectors,” emphasizing that they were “not produced in Israel” and used solely in Spanish peacekeeping missions abroad.