Finance
Israel Reprimands Spain Over Blowing up of Netanyahu Effigy
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 11, 2026
3 min readLast updated: April 11, 2026
Add as preferred source on Google
Quick Summary
Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires in Tel Aviv on April 11, 2026, to formally reprimand Madrid over the traditional Easter burning of a 7‑metre effigy of Prime Minister Netanyahu in El Burgo, amid deepening bilateral tensions arising from Spain’s opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and Ira
Israel Rebukes Spain After Netanyahu Effigy Blown Up, Escalating Diplomatic Row
Escalation of Diplomatic Tensions Between Israel and Spain
Incident in El Burgo: Netanyahu Effigy Blown Up
MADRID, April 11 (Reuters) - Israel said on Saturday it had reprimanded Spain's most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv over the blowing up of a giant effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Spanish town this week.
The seven-metre (23-foot) figure was packed with 14 kilograms (31 lb) of gunpowder in El Burgo, a small town near the southern city of Malaga, in a decades-old ceremony on April 5, its Mayor Maria Dolores Narvaez told local television.
Israel's Response to the Incident
"The appalling antisemitic hatred on display here is a direct result of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government's systemic incitement," Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X which highlighted a video clip.
Reuters was not immediately able to verify the video.
Spain's Official Reaction
"The Spanish government is committed to fighting against antisemitism and any form of hate or discrimination. As such we totally reject any insidious allegation which suggests the contrary," a Spanish Foreign Ministry source said in response.
El Burgo's Mayor Narvaez said the town has previously used effigies of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the annual event.
Background: Ongoing Diplomatic Row
Spain's Criticism of Military Campaigns
Spain has been an outspoken critic of the U.S. and Israeli military campaigns in Iran and Lebanon, despite U.S. threats nL1N40R0WB to punish uncooperative NATO allies nFWN40R1H0.
Israeli Accusations and Spanish Restrictions
Spain and Israel have been embroiled in a long-running diplomatic row which began over the Gaza war. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said a Spanish ban on aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from its ports or airspace due to Israel's military offensive was antisemitic.
Disputes Over International Law and Ceasefire
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accused Israel of violating international law and the two-week ceasefire nL6N40S0C8 after a massive wave of airstrikes nL6N40R0HD across Lebanon this week. Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire and Israel's military was continuing to strike Hezbollah with force.
Sanchez's Stance on the Iran War
Sanchez, who has emerged as a leading opponent nL6N3ZF0NM of the Iran war, has closed Spanish airspace nL1N40I09B to any aircraft involved in a confrontation he has described as reckless and illegal.
(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Key Takeaways
- •On April 5, residents of El Burgo near Málaga burned a 7‑metre effigy of Netanyahu filled with about 14 kg of gunpowder as part of the 'Quema de Judas' tradition; Israel condemned the act as antisemitic and summoned Spain’s top diplomat in Tel Aviv for a reprimand. (cadenaser.com)
- •The Spanish government rejected Israel’s accusations, asserting its commitment to fighting antisemitism and calling Israel’s claims 'insidious'; it noted that similar effigies have previously included figures like Trump or Putin. (huffingtonpost.es)
- •The incident further inflamed already fraught relations: Spain has earlier withdrawn its ambassador over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the Iran war, and Israel recently expelled Spain from a Gaza ceasefire coordination center. (aljazeera.com)
References
- Israel convoca a la responsable de la Embajada española por la quema de un muñeco de Netanyahu en El Burgo (Málaga)
- Israel convoca a la encargada de negocios española en Tel Aviv y critica a Sánchez por la quema de una efigie de Netanyahu
- Spain removes ambassador from Israel in protest to Iran war, Gaza genocide | News | Al Jazeera
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel reprimands Spain over blowing up of Netanyahu effigy
1Why did Israel reprimand Spain's senior diplomat?
Israel reprimanded Spain's most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv after a giant effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blown up in a Spanish town during a local ceremony.
2What was the controversy surrounding the Netanyahu effigy?
A seven-metre effigy of Netanyahu was packed with gunpowder and blown up as part of a decades-old ceremony in El Burgo, Spain, drawing condemnation from Israel as antisemitic.
3How has Spain responded to allegations of antisemitism?
Spain rejected Israel's accusations, stating that its government is committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate or discrimination.
4What actions has Spain taken regarding Israel's military operations?
Spain banned aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from using its ports or airspace in response to Israel's military actions, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon.
5What ongoing issues fuel the diplomatic tensions between Spain and Israel?
Tensions persist due to disagreements over the Gaza war, Spain's ban on military support transit, and mutual accusations of international law violations and antisemitism.
