The State Department was abuzz on Monday afternoon and carried the conversation well into the night. Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Spain and Israel found themselves in a diplomatic dispute that stretched for hours, threatening to strain bilateral ties. A statement from the Hebrew Embassy in Madrid accusing certain Spanish government members of making immoral remarks and alleging Hamas collaboration with terrorism raised alarms at the highest levels. Officials stressed that communications with the embassy are constant and information is regularly shared, underlining that the remarks could affect relations. The embassy’s management labeled the accusations a hostile gesture and urged caution in wording.
Minister José Manuel Albares promptly phoned the Hebrew ambassador, Radica Radian-Gordon, to address the issue. In a Tuesday press conference following the Council of Ministers gathering, the foreign minister conveyed deep dissatisfaction with the embassy’s statement and indicated that an official response would be issued. The language used reflected a serious, unfriendly posture toward the move.
The State Department responded by rejecting the Israeli embassy statement as unfounded. It argued that in a healthy democracy, political leaders may freely express their views as representatives of their parties, and cautioned against insinuations that could undermine the governance process in Spain.
Even so, efforts continued to resolve the dispute through a phone dialogue and to document the incident as a specific event. The aim was to preserve the relationship and keep channels open for ongoing cooperation between both countries in the current climate. Ministry sources noted the need to manage the situation carefully given the broader conflict between Israel and Palestine and the importance of maintaining steady communication.
The executive branch pointed out that foreign policy positions are determined by the Head of Government through the relevant ministry and aligned with the EU’s collective stance. Israel’s statement arrived a day before an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Europe to discuss a unified position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Following the episode, Albares made a clear stand that humanitarian aid and the situation in Gaza require careful consideration. He affirmed that basic water and electricity must reach Gaza and that cooperation with Palestinian civil society should continue. This stance contrasted with remarks by the Israeli ambassador to Spain, who suggested that providing such aid would effectively support Hamas.
The government reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself while distinguishing between legitimate military targets and civil society. Albares stressed that the Palestinian Authority is a known, reliable partner and emphasized that substantial aid had not benefited Hamas in the past. The continuous effort has focused on maintaining a constructive partnership in the pursuit of stability.
That Tuesday afternoon, Acting Head of Government Pedro Sánchez spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi by phone to thank him for support in seeking a resolution to the Middle East situation. He noted that humanitarian aid must reach Gaza as quickly as possible and that the EU’s restrictions on aid should not impede relief. The government signaled readiness to advance bilateral cooperation when assistance becomes available.
Different opinions in the Council of Ministers
The Israel-Gaza conflict has sparked divisions within the coalition, though Moncloa maintains that the state’s position is defined by the State Department. The socialist administration accepts that political leaders will share their views while upholding the government’s overall line on Middle East issues. The message is clear: the government intends to stay unified on this policy.
In an effort to resolve the differences, Albares has been in touch with Yolanda Díaz, the second vice president and leader of Sumar. Those close to the minister report broad harmony in general terms, with some nuances acknowledged. They also indicate a desire for a fluid relationship with partners while maintaining the government’s position that all ministers should feel comfortable with the approach.
Recently, Ione Belarra, the Social Rights minister and Podemos leader, urged that Israel be brought before the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Sumar has proposed that the government acknowledge the State of Palestine within their coalition agreement, a move that could shore up unity this October as talks proceed.