Spain permanently withdraws ambassador from Israel, downgrades diplomatic relations

Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, formally downgrading diplomatic relations as tensions deepen over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

The Spanish government announced on Tuesday, March 10, that the ambassadorial position in Israel will be terminated, with the country’s diplomatic mission now to be headed by a chargé d’affaires for the foreseeable future.

A chargé d’affaires is a diplomatic representative who temporarily acts as the head of a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador or permanent representative. This role is crucial for maintaining diplomatic continuity and ensuring that the mission’s operations continue smoothly.

The decision was proposed by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and approved by the Council of Ministers.

Madrid said the move reflects the worsening relationship between the two countries, which has deteriorated amid the U.S.- and Israel-led military campaign against Iran and broader regional tensions.

Diplomatic rift deepens

Spain had already recalled its ambassador, Ana María Salomón Pérez, in September following a diplomatic dispute with Israel. The row erupted after Spain imposed a ban on ships and aircraft transporting weapons to Israel for use in its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli officials strongly criticized the ban, labelling the move “anti-Semitic,” while Spanish leaders defended it as part of their stance against the war.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been one of the most outspoken Western leaders criticizing Israel’s military actions. He said Spain would not be “complicit in something bad for the world simply out of fear of reprisals from someone.”

Spain has also repeatedly condemned Israel’s conduct in the conflict triggered by the October 2023 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel and has formally recognized the independence of the Palestinian state.

Tensions with Washington

Madrid’s criticism of the war involving Iran has also strained relations with the United States.

Spain recently said it would not allow the U.S. to use joint military bases on Spanish territory to support strikes against Iran, a decision that drew sharp criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. He threatened to cut off trade with Spain and criticized the country for failing to meet NATO’s new defence spending target of 5% of GDP.

“Spain, I think they’ve been very bad,” the U.S. President said during an interview. “Very bad. Not good at all. We may cut off trade with Spain. I don’t know what Spain is doing. They’ve been very bad to NATO. They get protected, they don’t want to pay their fair share. And they’ve been that way for many years.”

Despite the public disputes, Albares said diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States remain intact.

“Our embassy in Washington is operating normally and has all the contacts it should have as usual,” Albares told reporters, adding that the same was true for the U.S. diplomatic mission in Madrid.

yogaesoteric
March 18, 2026