Tensions between Spain and Israel have intensified as Madrid announced the official recall of its ambassador, Ana Sálomon, on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Spain’s diplomatic representation in Israel will now be limited to a chargé d’affaires, in reciprocity with measures Israel had already taken in Madrid.
The move comes amid a series of diplomatic disputes dating back to May 2024, when the Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu recalled its ambassador Rodica Radian-Gordón following Spain’s official recognition of the State of Palestine.
Sálomon had been called back for consultations in September last year and has not returned to Israel since. Relations between the two nations worsened amid the ongoing Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, particularly after Spain characterized the Israeli actions as genocide against the Palestinian population. Madrid also imposed a range of measures and sanctions to reduce bilateral engagement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously expressed admiration for pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted the Vuelta cycling race in Madrid, prompting strong criticism from Israel. At the time, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled the Spanish government as “antisemite.”
Spain’s decision to limit its representation means that any future ambassadorial posting in Israel would require appointing a new diplomat and presenting credentials to Israeli authorities.
This development follows warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump about potential embargoes on Spain after Madrid blocked U.S. use of Spanish bases for strikes linked to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Spanish authorities are increasingly asserting a stricter stance against actions deemed to violate international law.
Meanwhile, despite deploying the frigate Cristóbal Colón to Cyprus as part of a NATO mission, Defense Minister Margarita Robles stated that Spain will not participate in the French-proposed mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the operation has not been officially endorsed by NATO or the European Union.
