Spain has formally downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel by permanently withdrawing its ambassador, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Madrid and Jerusalem over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The move, confirmed by the Spanish government on Tuesday, follows a proposal by Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and approval by the Council of Ministers. Spain’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now be headed by a chargé d’affaires, a lower diplomatic rank, for the foreseeable future. The decision comes as Spain, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has become the only Western nation to explicitly condemn military action against Iran, with Sánchez stating his country would not be “complicit in something that is bad for the world simply out of fear of reprisals.”
Diplomatic relations have been strained since September, when Spain recalled its then-ambassador, Ana María Salomón Pérez, following Israel’s accusation that Madrid’s ban on ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel was “anti-Semitic.” That ban was enacted in response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza after the October 2023 Hamas attack. Spain has since repeatedly criticized Israel’s conduct in Gaza and formally recognized Palestinian statehood.
The rift has also extended to relations with the United States. Spain refused to allow the U.S. to use joint military facilities for operations against Iran, drawing a threat from then-President Donald Trump to cut off all trade over Spain’s stance and its failure to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 5% of GDP. Despite these public disputes, Foreign Minister Albares asserted that U.S.-Spain ties remain “normal,” noting both embassies continue routine operations.
This diplomatic downgrade underscores Spain’s increasingly isolated position among Western allies regarding the Middle East conflict. While other European nations have expressed concern over civilian casualties, none have taken the step of reducing their diplomatic representation in Israel. Madrid’s actions reflect a longstanding policy of advocacy for Palestinian rights and a willingness to confront both Israeli and U.S. policies, even at the risk of economic and diplomatic friction.
The long-term impact on Spain’s role within NATO and the European Union remains uncertain, though officials maintain that core alliances are unaffected. The shift signals a deepening divergence between Madrid and key Western partners on Middle East policy, a stance that may define Spain’s foreign relations in the coming years.
