Israel recalls its ambassador to Spain after PM Sánchez criticizes Gaza operation

The diplomatic crisis between Spain and Israel has deepened after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had "genuine doubts" about Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law.

The prime minister's remarks prompted the Israeli government to recall its ambassador in Madrid, Rodica Radian-Gordon, for consultations, while summoning the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ana María Salomón, for the second time in a week to reprimand her. 

In a message to X, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Sánchez's accusations were "baseless" and stressed that Israel acted "according to international law."  

"Israel is acting and will continue to act according to international law and will continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is removed from Gaza," he said.

Israel's decision follows Pedro Sánchez's remarks on national public broadcaster RTVE on Thursday, in which he said that Hamas attacks must be condemned "with the same conviction" that we must remind Israel to comply with international humanitarian law. 

"We have said from the beginning that what Hamas has done in Israel is absolutely atrocious and abhorrent," he said.  

"But we have to say to Israel with the same conviction that its actions must be based on international humanitarian law. But with the images we're seeing and the growing number of people - especially boys and girls - being killed, I have genuine doubts that they're complying with international humanitarian law," Sánchez added. 

Sánchez's remarks have deepened a mini-diplomatic crisis between Israel and Spain that broke last week, when Spain's PM said he could be willing to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state if other EU members fail to do so collectively. 

In a joint appearance with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, the two leaders called for an end to the "endless cycle of violence" in the Middle East, urged Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and advocated a "lasting" cease-fire.   

Moments after Sánchez spoke, Israel summoned the Spanish ambassador, Ana María Salomón, to give her a "harsh reprimand". 

Barcelona cuts ties with Israel

The Barcelona City Council on November 24 suspended institutional relations with the Israeli government.    

In a controversial move, the city council said relations will not be resumed "until there is a definitive ceasefire that guarantees respect for the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people and compliance with the United Nations resolutions on the conflict".   

However, the interruption of institutional relations with the Israeli government does not affect the relations between Barcelona and the city of Tel Aviv, which were suspended during the term of Ada Colau and which the current mayor, Jaume Collboni, resumed in September.