Spain withdraws ambassador to Israel and consolidates diplomatic tension

MadridThe diplomatic representation of the State in Israel has been officially downgraded. Six months ago, the Spanish government summoned its ambassador to Tel Aviv, Ana María Salomón, for consultations after a new clash with Benjamin Netanyahu's government, with whom relations became strained following the military offensive on the Gaza Strip. And this Wednesday, Pedro Sánchez's administration formalized her dismissal by publishing it in the "Official State Gazette" (BOE). The departure comes "at the proposal" of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and after being discussed in Tuesday's Council of Ministers. Now, the Spanish embassy in Israel is headed by a business area chargé d'affaires, according to sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leaving the diplomatic representation "at the same level" as Israel's embassy in Madrid.

Although the decision comes at a time marked by the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran and its ramifications in the Middle East —a war against which Pedro Sánchez's government has stood firm, even opening a new front with Donald Trump's administration—, its trigger goes back a long way. In fact, in 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu's government decided to withdraw its ambassador to Spain when Pedro Sánchez recognized the Palestinian state.

Since then, diplomatic tensions have not ceased and escalated, again, last September, when Salomón was summoned for consultations. Pedro Sánchez announced a package of measures against Israel for the "genocide" in Gaza. The head of the Spanish executive stated that Netanyahu's government's actions constituted "a breach" of humanitarian law. "It is not defending itself, but exterminating an defenseless people," the head of the Spanish executive even said. Israel did not hesitate to label the Spanish government "antisemitic" and corrupt, and even banned ministers Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego from entering the country.

The year 2023 was the last time Sánchez traveled to Israel. The head of the Spanish executive visited Jerusalem and met with Netanyahu, before whom he pointed out that the number of civilian deaths in Gaza was "unbearable." At that time, Sánchez had already urged Europe to recognize the Palestinian state.