MADRID, March 11 (Reuters) - Spain government on Tuesday decided to remove its ambassador to Israel, according to the official state gazette published on Wednesday. Spain's embassy in Tel Aviv will be
Spain permanently withdraws ambassador as rift with Israel deepens
Escalating Diplomatic Tensions Between Spain and Israel
Background of the Diplomatic Standoff
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.
Initial Recall of the Ambassador
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.
Recent Developments
Official Termination of Ambassador's Position
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.
Strained Diplomatic Relations
The move marks the latest escalation in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been heavily strained since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in October of 2023.
Israel's Response
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.
Current Situation and Outlook
Heightened Tensions Following U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran
Tensions have heightened since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, with Sa'ar accusing Spain in early March of "standing with tyrants" for opposing the war.
(Reporting by Emma Pinedo and Victoria Waldersee; editing by Charlie Devereux, William Maclean)
