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Spain on Monday recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv after the Israeli government accused Madrid of antisemitism and barred two Spanish ministers from entering the country. According to Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, the envoy was recalled “in the face of slanderous accusations and unacceptable measures against two government members.”
Israel was responding to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s announcement of a slew of measures aimed at stopping what he called the genocide in Gaza. This includes a permanent arms embargo, a ban on imports from occupied territories and prohibiting individuals involved in the Gaza war from entering Spain.
“This is not self-defense, it’s not even an attack — it’s the extermination of a defenseless people. It is a violation of all humanitarian laws, and despite that, the international community is failing to stop this tragedy,” Sánchez had said.
“We know that all these measures will not be enough to stop the invasion or the war crimes, but we hope that they will serve to add pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government to alleviate some of the suffering that the Palestinian population is enduring,” Sánchez added.
Israel responded to Sánchez’s announcement, accusing Spain of antisemitism and banning Spain’s Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego, from traveling to the country.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sánchez was trying to divert attention from the corruption scandals affecting his Socialist Party, and characterized the Spanish government’s actions as “antisemitic.”Saar said on X.
Saar said the ministers would be prohibited from entering Israel because they had made statements calling Israel a “genocidal state” and supported efforts to sanction or boycott Israel.
Madrid has been one of the most outspoken critics of the ongoing war in Gaza, and last year, Spain joined Norway and Ireland to formally recognise a Palestinian state, and it was the first European country to ask a UN court for permission to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
On Monday, Sánchez announced that, besides formalizing an arms embargo, which the Spanish government says has been de facto in effect since October 2023, Spain will ban ships carrying fuel for Israel’s armed forces from passing through Spanish ports and increase its humanitarian aid toward Gaza in 2026 to reach $176 million.
Other steps included a pledge to increase aid for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, and to impose an embargo on goods made in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Additionally, anyone who directly participates in what he termed the “genocide” in Gaza would not be allowed to enter Spanish territory.
Spanish media also reported that Spain may even declare Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers persona non grata.
Saar downplayed the effect the Spanish government’s actions would have on Israel. “If they want to hold or halt defense connections with Israel, who do you think will lose from that? We don’t need Spain to protect the land of Israel,” he said.
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