Spain has taken a definitive stance by permanently withdrawing its ambassador from Israel, marking a significant escalation in the diplomatic tensions between the two nations. This move is a direct response to Spain’s disapproval of the U.S.-Israeli military actions targeting Iran.
On Tuesday, an announcement in Spain’s official gazette confirmed the termination of the ambassadorial position. From now on, the Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv will be managed by a chargé d’affaires, a change that signals Spain’s firm position on the matter.
This decision follows Spain’s earlier action last September when it recalled its ambassador after disagreements arose. The controversy began when Spain decided to prevent aircraft and ships transporting weapons to Israel from accessing Spanish ports and airspace, a decision that was met with strong criticism from Israel. At the time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled Spain’s actions as antisemitic.
In the midst of these developments, U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation, expressing his dissatisfaction with Spain’s cooperation. When asked at a press briefing on Wednesday about Spain’s collaboration with the U.S., Trump stated, “No, they’re not. I think they’re not cooperating at all.”
Amid the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran, the situation remains tense as seen in Tehran, where buildings suffered damage following a strike on a police station. The image, captured by Majid Asgaripour for WANA (West Asia News Agency) and distributed via REUTERS, highlights the intensity of the conflict on March 4, 2026.
President Trump further criticized Spain, declaring, “Spain, I think they’ve been very bad. Very bad. Not good at all,” and even hinted at the possibility of severing trade ties with the country. This development suggests that the diplomatic fallout may have broader implications, potentially affecting economic relations between Spain and the United States.
“I don’t know what Spain is doing,” Trump continued. “They’ve been very bad to NATO. They get protected, they don’t want to pay their fair share. And they’ve been that way for many years.”
Trump added that the people of Spain “are fantastic,” whereas the leadership is “not so good.”
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Wednesday criticized Spain’s decision to recall its ambassador to Israel permanently as “hard for me to absorb.”
“Spain is a member of NATO, and the United States and Israel are in joint operations against the Iranian regime who openly calls for the destruction of the Jewish State, attacks against the West, and seeks to purify Islam in its own image,” Graham wrote on X.
Spain recalled its ambassador to Israel, the latest flare-up in the rocky diplomatic relationship between the two countries in recent years. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)
“The religious Nazi regime in Iran is the problem, not the Jewish State,” the senator continued. “I hope Spain’s actions will not encourage the tyrannical, fanatical regime in Iran — that abuses its own people — to hang on.”
Relations between Spain and Israel have deteriorated sharply since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks.
Israel also downgraded its diplomatic presence in Spain last May after Spain recognized a Palestinian state, placing its own embassy in Madrid under a chargé d’affaires.
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