Spain Advances US Extradition Request for Pro-Palestinian Millionaire, Sparking Coalition Outrage

The Spanish government has approved moving forward with a US extradition request for American millionaire James Cox Chambers, a vocal pro-Palestinian activist and self-described communist. Chambers, 41, was arrested in Ibiza on July 10 and is currently held in pre-trial detention in Madrid. The decision has ignited fierce opposition within Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition government, particularly from far-left partners who accuse the government of acting on political motives.

Chambers, heir to the Cox Enterprises media fortune, reportedly sold his stake for $250 million in 2023. His lawyers state he has donated over $1 million to "humanitarian causes in the Gaza Strip" and funded legal expenses for members of Palestine Action, a group designated as terrorist by the US and UK for actions against defense companies linked to Israel. The US has not publicly detailed the charges, but his lawyers claim they involve money laundering and conspiracy.

The case has drawn international attention, with 150 celebrities and activists, including actors Richard Gere and Greta Thunberg, signing a petition against his extradition. Chambers' legal team, along with the far-left Sumar party, argues that the lack of publicly disclosed evidence suggests political persecution, which under Spanish law could prevent extradition.

Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, a member of Sumar, is among those opposing the extradition. Chambers' lawyer has warned that his extradition could set a dangerous precedent in Europe and has filed an asylum request on his behalf. The Spanish government maintains that the current approval is purely procedural and a final decision on extradition will only be made after judicial proceedings conclude.