Citing Spain’s “anti-Israel obsession” and policies during the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Friday that Spain will not be allowed to participate in the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, the multi-national center overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
The move marked the latest escalation in a diplomatic spat between the two countries, whose relations have been heavily strained since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and further deteriorated during the war with Iran.
“The Sánchez government has such a blatant anti-Israeli bias that it has lost any ability to serve as a useful actor in implementing President Trump’s peace plan and in the CMCC center operating within the framework of the plan,” Sa’ar said.
Spain has been formally notified of the decision, said the Foreign Ministry, adding that the US was informed in advance as well.
Many European countries, including Spain, have a small military presence at the CMCC.
Commenting on the move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that countries that “wage a diplomatic war” against Israel will pay “an immediate price.”
“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” he said in a video statement.
“Spain has defamed our heroes, IDF soldiers — the soldiers of the most moral army in the world,” Netanyahu continued.
“Those who attack Israel instead of terrorist regimes — whoever does so — will not be our partner regarding the future of the region,” said Netanyahu.
“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and this hostility,” he concluded. “I do not intend to allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying an immediate price.”
Ties between Jerusalem and Madrid have steadily deteriorated over the past several years as Spain’s government expressed increasing anger and frustration against Israel over the war in Gaza.
Madrid had prohibited sales and purchases of military equipment with Israel from the start of the war; however, last September, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced measures to enshrine the prohibition in law. Sa’ar criticized Spain as leading “a hostile, anti-Israel line,” after which Madrid also recalled its ambassador.
Last month, Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel. It sent its ambassador back to Iran this week.
During the war with Iran, Spain closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases.
Source:
www.timesofisrael.com
