Spain has the removal of its ambassador to Israel, just 11 days following airstrikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
“I [King Felipe VI] hereby order the dismissal of Ms. Ana María Salomón Pérez as Ambassador of Spain to the State of Israel, thanking her for her services,” said the decree in Spain’s official gazette, translated from Spanish.
Spain has opposed Israel’s past policies—such as Israel’s military action in Gaza—but Israel’s recent missile attack on Iran was the decisive factor for Perez’s removal, according to Fox News.
“In short, the position of the Government of Spain can be summed up in four words: no to war,” said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in his statement regarding the recent conflict.
Spain has been among several European countries calling for a ceasefire, including Ireland and Norway.
In a joint press conference in Brussels, the foreign ministers of Spain, Ireland and Norway condemned violence that has killed innocent civilians, emphasizing that there is “no military solution” to the conflict.
Freshman Batya Brown said, “I understand Spain’s position, I mean, no one actually wants war. But it’s a little silly that they would remove the ambassador to Israel so easily.”
The Spanish embassy is now led by a charge d’affaires, a diplomat appointed when a nation’s ambassador is absent.
“It’s interesting that there are all these other nations around the world that might violate fundamental ethics and morals, but where’s the outrage there? Why does Spain still have an ambassador to Russia, where their actions have been labeled human rights violations by the UN (United Nations)?” said GOA history teacher Mr. Stern.
Despite her recent removal, Pérez has not been in office since September of 2025, following Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s criticism of the Spanish government.
“The Government of Spain is leading a hostile anti-Israeli line, with wild rhetoric dripping with hatred. The attempt by the corrupt Sánchez administration to divert attention from severe corruption scandals through a continuous anti-Israel and anti-Semitic attack is transparent,” said Sa’ar in an X post.
In the same post, Sa’ar announced that the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain and their Minister of Youth and Children would no longer be allowed to enter Israel.
“I’m upset that anti-Semitism is present in leaders around the world, whether it be Spain, Norway, or others, because they don’t understand the danger of allowing terrorist organizations to rule countries,” said GOA Spanish teacher Senora Gardner.
While this situation has increased tensions between Israel and Spain, this is not the first conflict between the two nations.
Netanyahu previously recalled the Israeli ambassador from Spain in 2024 after Spain announced that it would be formally recognizing Palestine as an official state.
Additionally, the nations’ strained relations coincided with a rise in reported antisemitic incidents in Spain.
In 2024, 193 antisemitic incidents were recorded in Spain, which is 321 percent higher than in 2023 and 567 percent higher than in 2022, according to Spain’s Observatory of Antisemitism.
This record-breaking rise in hate speech and incidents has led to severe safety concerns within the Spanish Jewish community, which expressed a growing sense of vulnerability and fear in public spaces.
“It’s really upsetting to see a country become a place that’s not safe for Jews,” said sophomore Abby Munshine. “I really wanted to visit at some point, but I don’t think I’ll feel comfortable going anytime soon.”
