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Spain Officially Recalls Ambassador to Israel

Published March 11, 2026, 17:10
Spain Officially Recalls Ambassador to Israel

Spain has officially terminated the duties of its ambassador to Israel, who was already recalled to Madrid in September 2025 due to heightened tensions in bilateral relations. This decision follows criticism from the Spanish government of Benjamin Netanyahu's policies in Gaza following the Hamas attack and its opposition to US-Israeli strikes against Iran. The ambassador's recall followed a heated verbal confrontation with Israel after Spain announced new measures aimed at "ending the genocide in Gaza". The Israeli Foreign Minister had then described the Spanish Prime Minister as "anti-Semitic" and a "liar". Spain no longer has an ambassador to Israel, while Israel has not had an ambassador to Spain since the Spanish government recognized the State of Palestine in 2024. Spain's decision underscores growing discontent in Europe with Israeli policy and the deterioration of relations between Spain and Israel. This move is expected to further escalate relations between the two countries. To re-establish Spanish diplomatic representation in Israel, the government will need to appoint a new ambassador, who will then need to present their credentials to the Israeli authorities.