The World Today
The Spanish government summoned the ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ana María Salomon, for consultations in response to the measures and accusations leveled by the Israeli government. The decision, announced after the entry ban on two Spanish ministers, seeks to express official discontent without severing diplomatic relations. Sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the decision responds to what Madrid has described as "slanderous" accusations against Spain and "unacceptable" measures toward Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego.
Tensions erupted after the package of measures announced by President Pedro Sánchez to curb what he described as the risk of "genocide" in Gaza. Israel responded by denouncing an attempt to distract attention from its internal problems and vetoed the ministers concerned. Both were barred from entering Israel and prohibited from any official contact with them, according to the Israeli government. Madrid's gesture aims to balance diplomatic protest with the preservation of bilateral dialogue.
Calling for consultations is a common diplomatic tool for expressing discontent and generally involves the temporary withdrawal of the ambassador without severing relations. In this case, the summons to Salomon is the first of its kind since October 2023, although not the first time Israel has raised diplomatic protests over Spanish statements . The Spanish government opted for this step instead of a permanent withdrawal of the representation, which would require an additional step and the acceptance of the host country.
The episode revives a recent precedent: in May 2024, Madrid recalled the ambassador in Buenos Aires during a crisis with Argentina , which eventually normalized over time and with the appointment of a new representative. This precedent serves as a reference for the timelines and limits of the current measure. The government maintains that maintaining channels with Israel is necessary because any sustained solution in the Middle East will require its participation.
On the domestic political front, the decision left the coalition somewhat fragmented: government partners called for tougher measures, including the permanent recall of the ambassador, while the executive branch preferred a conciliatory but firm response. Albares argued that Spain does not stray from the usual diplomatic channels and appealed to criteria of proportionality with other international crises. The follow-up will make it clear whether the measure is sufficient to mitigate the crisis or whether the escalation requires further steps.
For the public and the media, the meeting marks a visible step in the dispute between Madrid and Israel, with practical and symbolic implications. The ambassador will return for consultations, and upcoming official communications will outline whether the path of dialogue will continue or whether the diplomatic conflict hardens. In the meantime, the process will be carried out cautiously: public protest without burning bridges, which, according to the government, will be necessary in any future negotiations.
