Madrid permanently ends diplomatic post as rift with West Jerusalem deepens over attacks on Iran
Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, formally downgrading diplomatic relations with the country.
Long-standing ties between Madrid and West Jerusalem have soured amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran.
Spain was the only Western country to strongly condemn the attack. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said his country will not “The world is complicit in evil for fear of retribution from someone.”
The decision to fire Israel’s ambassador was announced on Tuesday. The government said it was proposed by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez and supported by the Council of Ministers. It added that the country’s mission will now be led by the Chargé d’Affaires for the foreseeable future.
Now-former ambassador Ana Maria Salomon Perez was recalled to Spain last September amid a diplomatic row with Israel, prompted by Madrid’s decision to ban ships and planes carrying weapons to Israel to promote its campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Israel condemned the ban “Anti-Semitism.”
Spain has repeatedly condemned the heavy-handed approach to the conflict in West Jerusalem, triggered by the October 2023 surprise attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants, and has formally recognized the independence of the Palestinian state.
Madrid’s condemnation of war against Iran has also strained relations with Washington. Spain has said it will not allow the US to use joint military installations in the country for attacks, angering US President Donald Trump – who has threatened to cut all trade with Spain over its stance, as well as failure to meet NATO’s new defense spending target of 5% of GDP.
Despite public threats, ties between the US and Spain remain “normal” Albarez told reporters on Tuesday that Washington had taken no hostile action against Madrid.
“Our embassy in Washington is functioning normally and has all contacts as usual.” The same applies to the US mission in Madrid, he said.
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