Spain permanently withdraws ambassador as rift with Israel deepens

Source: Reuters

March 11, 20265:46 AM CST

MADRID, March 11 (Reuters) - Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel on Tuesday as a ​diplomatic standoff worsened between the two countries ‌over Spain's opposition to the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

The ambassador was summoned back to Spain last September amid a diplomatic ​row over Spanish measures banning aircraft and ships ​carrying weapons to Israel from its ports ⁠or airspace due to Israel's military offensive in ​Gaza, which Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar denounced ​as antisemitic.

On Tuesday, Spain published an announcement in its official gazette that the ambassador's position had been terminated. Spain's Foreign ​Ministry said its embassy in Tel Aviv ​will be led by a charge d'affaires for the foreseeable ‌future.

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Israel's embassy in Spain is also run by a charge d'affaires after the ​country summoned its ambassador last May ​in protest ⁠at Spain's decision to recognise a Palestinian state.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/spain-removes-ambassador-israel-2026-03-11/