Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday accused Spain of waging a diplomatic campaign against Israel after Madrid was barred from taking part in the work of a US‑led centre created to help stabilise post‑war Gaza.
“Spain has repeatedly chosen to stand against Israel. Those who attack the State of Israel instead of confronting terrorist regimes will not be our partners in shaping the region’s future,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I will not allow any country to conduct a diplomatic war against us without facing an immediate price.”
Israel said on Friday it had blocked Spain from participating in the work of a US-led centre established to help stabilise post-war Gaza following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
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The Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat was set up after the ceasefire took effect on October 10, with the goal of monitoring the truce and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory.
As part of the CMCC, military personnel and diplomats from several other countries including France, Britain and the United Arab Emirates are also present and participate in meetings on security and humanitarian issues in Gaza, devastated by more than two years of war.
Representatives of Spain were also participating in the work of CMCC until now.
But on Friday, Israel’s foreign ministry announced it was preventing Spain from attending CMCC meetings.
“The Sánchez government’s anti-Israel bias is so egregious that it has lost all capability to serve as a constructive actor in implementing President Trump’s peace plan in the CMCC,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.
“Spain will not be permitted to participate in the CMCC in Kiryat Gat.”
Relations between Israel and Spain have deteriorated significantly since Madrid recognised a Palestinian state in 2024.
Both countries have withdrawn their ambassadors.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, which broke out after Palestinian movement Hamas attacked Israel on October 7,th2023.
He had also opposed the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran that began on February 28th.
Sarr has previously accused the Spanish government of “standing with tyrants” by opposing the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
He also accused Spain of being “complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes” after it recognised a Palestinian state.
Spain only established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1986 following the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975.
Under Franco, Spain avoided recognising Israel and maintained closer diplomatic ties with Arab states.
