Spain Takes Dramatic Step: Permanently Recalls Ambassador from Israel in Fierce Protest Over Gaza Genocide and US-Israeli War on Iran

The Spanish government has taken an unprecedented diplomatic measure by permanently withdrawing its ambassador to Israel, Ana María Salomón Pérez, in a strong protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza—repeatedly described by Madrid as a “genocide”—and the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.

The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers on March 10, 2026, at the proposal of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, and published the following day in Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE). With Ambassador Salomón Pérez’s appointment formally terminated, the Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv will now be led by a chargé d’affaires ad interim, significantly downgrading diplomatic representation.

This move deepens a long-standing rift that intensified after Spain recognized the State of Palestine in 2024, prompting Israel to withdraw its own ambassador from Madrid. Tensions escalated further in September 2025 when Salomón Pérez was recalled to consultations following Israeli accusations of antisemitism against the Spanish government and reciprocal entry bans on Spanish ministers.

Spain has positioned itself as one of Europe’s sharpest critics of Israel’s Gaza campaign since 2023, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez repeatedly condemning it as a “genocidal war.” Madrid has implemented measures including arms embargoes, bans on Israel-bound weapons shipments through Spanish ports and airspace, and restrictions on US use of Spanish military bases for operations related to the Iran conflict.

The situation worsened with the launch of US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February 2026, which Sánchez labeled “unjustifiable” and a violation of international law. Spain has firmly reiterated its “no to war” stance, refusing to allow its territory or facilities to support these operations, marking it as an outlier within the European Union.

Analysts view the permanent withdrawal as a clear political signal of protest without fully severing ties. Israel has not announced immediate retaliatory actions, but the episode highlights the profound divide amid regional escalations involving bombings in Iran and Lebanon, and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.