Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Wednesday (11 March) as a diplomatic row between the two countries worsened over attacks on Gaza and Iran. Spain has been opposing joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28.
Last September, Spain recalled its ambassador to Israel after a diplomatic row broke out between the two countries. Ana Maria Salomon was officially relieved of her duties on Tuesday at the suggestion of Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in a decree signed by King Felipe VI. and published in the official state gazette.
The dispute began when Spain took action to ban planes and ships carrying weapons to Israel from its ports or through its airspace because of the military offensive in Gaza.
The measures were called anti-Semitic by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The foreign minister also banned two of his ministers from entering, plunging already frayed ties to new depths.
Spain published an announcement in its official gazette on Tuesday that the ambassador’s position had been terminated. Spain’s foreign ministry said its embassy in Tel Aviv will be led by a chargé d’affaires in the foreseeable future.
The move represents the latest escalation in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been severely strained since October 2023, when Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip.
Israel withdrew its ambassador from Madrid in 2024 after Spain recognized Palestinian statehood, and has been represented by a chargé d’affaires ever since. Israel’s embassy in Spain is also run by a chargé d’affaires after the country summoned its ambassador last May to protest Spain’s decision.
Tensions have risen since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, with Sa’ar in early March accusing Spain of “standing with tyrants” for opposing the war.
When Trump threatened to cut off trade with Spain
Recently, United States President Donald Trump ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to “cut off all trade with Spain.” The decision came as Spain denied access to its military bases for its bombing campaign against Iran.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Donald Trump said: “We’re going to cut off all business with Spain. We want nothing to do with Spain.” The US president also said that despite the refusal, America could use the bases if it wanted to.
“We could use their base if we wanted to. We could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s telling us not to use it, but we don’t have to,” Trump said.
