Spain allows US extradition case against pro-Palestinian donor to proceed

Spain's government on Tuesday allowed a US extradition request for pro-Palestinian donor James Cox Chambers to proceed to court, despite objections from its left-wing coalition partners who claim the case is politically motivated. Chambers, 41, an American media heir, was arrested in Ibiza on July 10 at the request of US authorities and is currently in pre-trial detention in Madrid.

Chambers, who describes himself as an anti-imperialist and communist, has called for the destruction of the United States on social media. He received $250 million in 2023 after divesting from his family's media conglomerate, Cox Enterprises. His legal team stated that he has donated over $1 million to humanitarian causes in Gaza and paid legal fees for members of the activist group Palestine Action, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US and UK for its actions against Israel-linked defense companies.

The US Department of Justice declined to comment on the specific charges against Chambers, but his legal team indicated they include money laundering and conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct. The case has drawn attention from pro-Palestinian figures, with 150 activists and celebrities, including Richard Gere and Greta Thunberg, signing a letter urging Spain not to proceed with the extradition.

Both Chambers' lawyers and Sumar, the Socialists' junior coalition partner, argue that the lack of publicly available evidence suggests he is being targeted for his political views. Chambers' lawyer, Baltasar Garzon, has filed an asylum application for Chambers in Spain, stating that allowing the extradition would set an alarming precedent in Europe if Spain permits the Trump administration to criminalize humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz described the decision to advance the case as "purely procedural," adding that the cabinet would make the final determination after the court process concludes. A court spokesperson said a hearing date would be set in the coming weeks.