In a significant diplomatic escalation, Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador from Israel, effectively severing top-level diplomatic relations between the two nations. The decision, confirmed through an official government notice on Tuesday, represents the culmination of months of deteriorating relations over military actions in Gaza and Iran.
Ambassador Ana María Sálomon Pérez, who had been recalled temporarily in September 2023 following Spain’s prohibition of weapon shipments to Israel through its ports and airspace, will not return to her post. The Spanish embassy in Israel’s capital will now operate under a chargé d’affaires, a lower-ranking diplomatic position. Notably, Israel’s embassy in Spain has been similarly managed since May 2023, when Israel withdrew its ambassador following Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government has emerged as one of Israel’s most vocal European critics, characterizing recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran as ‘unjustifiable’ and maintaining a firm ‘no to the war’ position. This stance has been implemented through concrete policy measures, including Spain’s parliamentary approval in October 2023 of a permanent ban on weapons and military equipment sales to Israel.
The diplomatic rupture reflects broader European divisions regarding Middle East policy, with Spain positioning itself at the forefront of nations advocating for alternative approaches to the region’s conflicts. The mutual reduction of diplomatic representation to charge d’affaires level signifies one of the most substantial deteriorations in EU-Israel relations in recent years.