Spain Withdraws Ambassador to Israel in Protest Over Israel–Iran Escalation

Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, downgrading its diplomatic representation and leaving the Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv to be headed by a chargé d’affaires.

“Spain withdraws ambassador to Israel as diplomatic rift deepens Spain has formally withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, leaving the Spanish Embassy in Tel Aviv to be headed by a charge d'affaires, the government said Wednesday in an official state bulletin”

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The decision followed a cabinet meeting and was approved on the proposal of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and published in the Official State Gazette on March 11.

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The move is rooted in a long deterioration of relations: Spain recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024 and Israel withdrew its ambassador to Madrid.

Tensions escalated when Spain recalled its ambassador for consultations in September 2025 after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez repeatedly criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, prompting Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar to label the Spanish government "antisemitic."

El Destape

Israel’s mission in Madrid has operated at chargé d’affaires level since 2024.

Madrid frames the withdrawal explicitly as pressure to halt Israel’s assaults on Gaza and as a response to the wider Israel–Iran escalation.

“The Spanish government has dismissed Spain's ambassador to Israel, Ana María Sálomon Pérez, a decision that comes at a time of international tension with that country over the Iran war, leaving a chargé d'affaires in charge of the mission, "at the same level" as the Embassy of Israel in Madrid”

El Imparcial

The Spanish government says it will keep channels open but must defend human rights and "apply pressure to stop the indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians in Gaza."

Sánchez has publicly expressed firm opposition to escalation after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and has pursued measures he and critics describe as aimed at stopping the "genocide" in Gaza.

The diplomatic step carries concrete procedural consequences and underscores a deeper rupture: Spain must request Israel’s agrément to restore an ambassador.

The move further downgrades bilateral ties, and both sides have kept their missions at chargé d’affaires level for an extended period.

Itón Gadol

This is a clear signal of sustained diplomatic estrangement.

Spain's decision unfolds amid broader European unease over U.S.- and Israel-led operations against Iran and new escalations in Lebanon.

“Itongadol/Agencia AJN”

Itón Gadol

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly denounced the intervention as being carried out "outside International Law," signalling growing continental friction over the regional offensive.

Levante-EMV

Her remarks and other leaders' distancing echo Madrid’s refusal to be complicit in escalation.