Spain Rebukes Israeli Diplomacy Twice in One Week

SadaNews - On Tuesday, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the charge d'affaires of the Israeli Embassy in Madrid for the second time in five days, as the main representative of the embassy in Madrid, in protest against the "unacceptable statements" made by the Israeli Foreign Minister.

The ministry stated in a press release that the charge d'affaires was summoned "to protest the unacceptable statements and positions made by the Israeli Foreign Minister regarding Spain and Prime Minister" Pedro Sánchez.

The Spanish government is one of the most vocal European critics of the Israeli government and its leader Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the military operations in Gaza since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023.

This comes in the absence of an ambassador for Israel in Madrid since the Spanish government recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024.

Madrid also summoned its ambassador to Israel last week amid heightened tensions between the two countries, following the Spanish government's announcement of new measures "to put an end to the genocide in Gaza."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Sa'ar described the Prime Minister of Spain as "anti-Semitic" and a "liar," after the Spanish Prime Minister expressed his "admiration" for pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted the Tour of Spain bicycle race.

The charge d'affaires of the Israeli Embassy, Dana Erlich, was also summoned last Friday after Netanyahu accused Sánchez of inciting the genocide of Israel.