Spain dismisses ambassador to Israel after months-long diplomatic rift

GENEVA

Spain has formally dismissed its ambassador to Israel, Ana Salomon, several months after she was recalled to Madrid amid a diplomatic dispute with the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision was published on Wednesday in Spain's official state bulletin, confirming that Salomon’s dismissal was approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday at the proposal of Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

Salomon had served as Spain's ambassador to Israel since July 2021 but was called back for consultations in September after tensions escalated between the two governments.

The move followed what Madrid described as "slanderous accusations" against Spain and "unacceptable measures" taken by Israel against Spain's labor minister, Yolanda Diaz, and Youth Minister Sira Rego, after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a package of measures aimed at stopping the genocide in Gaza.

With the ambassador formally removed, Spain’s embassy in Israel will now be led by a charge d’affaires until Madrid decides to appoint a new ambassador.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained in recent years. Israel currently has no ambassador in Madrid either, with its embassy led by a charge d'affaires after the previous envoy left the position in 2024, following Madrid's recognition of the state of Palestine.

Any future Spanish ambassador would require approval from the Israeli government before taking up the post.