Spain bars entry to two senior Israeli ministers

Just a day after Israel banned two anti-Israel Spanish government ministers, Madrid issues its own ban, barring two senior Israeli ministers from entering the country as Spain moves forward with arms embargo, trade restrictions.

By World Israel News Staff

Spain has banned two senior Israeli government ministers from entering the country after Israel imposed a similar ban on two Spanish ministers.

On Tuesday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced at a press conference that the Pedro Sanchez government has blacklisted Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir (Otzma Yehudit), and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party), both senior partners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The announcement came a day after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote that Jerusalem had banned two Spanish ministers and barred all governmental contact with them.

Spain’s Labor Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego, Sa’ar tweeted, were selected over their anti-Israel and antisemitic rhetoric, including use of the slogan “From the River to the Sea,” a phrase used by Palestinians and supporters to call for the removal of the State of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian state.

Also on Monday, Spain recalled its ambassador to Israel for consultations.

Prime Minister Sanchez on Tuesday formally presented a package of anti-Israel sanctions, including a full arms embargo, barring the sale and purchase of arms to and from the Jewish state, along with trade restrictions, notably a ban on importing goods made in Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria.

Spain also downgraded consular services offered to its own citizens who live in Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria, while increasing funding for the Palestinian Authority.

Albares denied Tuesday that the entry ban against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir targeted Israel.

“Regarding reprisal measures, the Spanish government fears nothing. These steps are not against Israel but are rather for peace and human rights.”

Ben-Gvir mocked the blacklisting, saying Spain should demonstrate its support for the Palestinians by allowing Gazans free entry into the country.

“Don’t let me in, but let the Gazans in freely,” Ben-Gvir tweeted.