Spain recalls ambassador as diplomatic spat with Israel intensifies

Spain accused Israel of “genocide in Gaza,” with Jerusalem condemning Madrid’s stance as “wild, hate-filled rhetoric.”

By World Israel News Staff

Spain has recalled its ambassador from Israel “for consultations,” marking an escalation in an ongoing diplomatic diplomatic rift over Madrid’s sharp criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed the decision in a statement on Monday, saying the envoy was called back “in the face of the slanderous accusations against Spain and the unacceptable measures against two members of our country’s government,” according to a foreign ministry source.

The move followed Israel’s announcement that Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Minister of Children and Youth Sira Rego would be barred from entering Israel. Israeli officials also said ties with the two would be cut.

“The government of Spain is leading a hostile, anti-Israel line marked by wild, hate-filled rhetoric,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a statement.

Hours later, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced an arms embargo on Israel, citing the military campaign in Gaza.

The decision, Sánchez stressed, was made to “stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators, and support the Palestinian population.”

He also reiterated Spain’s earlier policy of banning Israel-bound ships and aircraft from its territory.

Shortly after Sánchez made his remarks, two Palestinian terrorists carried out a deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem, killing six people — including Yaakov Pinto, a Spanish national and new immigrant to Israel.

Sa’ar sharply criticized Sánchez and his government in a post on X.

“At the very same time that the Spanish Prime Minister attacked Israel, Palestinian terrorists attacked and murdered six Israelis, among them Yaakov Pinto, a new immigrant from Spain,” Sa’ar wrote.

“Sánchez and his twisted ministers, who justified the October 7 massacre, have long since chosen to stand with Hamas and against Israel. Disgraceful!”

The tit-for-tat measures highlight the deepening diplomatic clash between Israel and Spain as Madrid takes an increasingly hard line against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, including announcing its intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations later this month.