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Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The move comes amid Madrid’s strong opposition to recent US-Israeli military actions against Iran.
This permanent recall follows an earlier decision last September to summon the ambassador back to Spain.
That initial diplomatic row was sparked by Spain’s measures to prohibit aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from using its ports or airspace, implemented in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. At the time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denounced these Spanish actions as “antisemitic.”
The permanent termination of the ambassador’s position was officially published in Spain’s gazette on Tuesday. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that its embassy in Tel Aviv will now be led by a charge d’affaires for the foreseeable future.
Diplomatic relations have been heavily strained since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in October of 2023 (REUTERS)
The move marks the latest escalation in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been heavily strained since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in October of 2023.
Israel’s embassy in Spain is also run by a charge d’affaires after the country summoned its ambassador last May in protest at Spain’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state.
Tensions have heightened since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, with Sa’ar accusing Spain in early March of “standing with tyrants” for opposing the war.
Last week, President Donald Trump threatened to impose a full U.S. trade embargo on Spain after the NATO ally refused to let the U.S. military use its bases for missions linked to strikes on Iran.
“Spain has been terrible,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, adding: “We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.”
He said he had told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all dealings” with Spain.
The U.S. relocated 15 aircraft, including refuelling tankers, from the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain after the country’s Socialist leadership said it would not allow them to be used to attack Iran.