"Israel alleges Spain's administration under Sanchez for anti-Semitic behavior and bars entry for Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego"
In a heated exchange of diplomatic rhetoric, Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, has accused the Spanish government of antisemitism and demonization towards Israel. Sa'ar's allegations stem from the Spanish government's stance on the Gaza conflict and its decision to ban the entry of certain Israeli ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Sa'ar has accused the Spanish government of maintaining links with tyrannical and sinister governments, and of calling for the "destruction of the State of Israel," justifying the "massacre" of October 7, 2023, and supporting "terrorism and violence against Israelis." He has also referred to Spain's actions as obsessive activism and crimes against the Jewish people.
In response to these accusations, the Spanish government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has announced nine measures against the "genocide in Gaza." President Sánchez has stated that these measures are aimed at standing on the right side of history. The Spanish government has also banned the entry of Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich due to their direct involvement in the Gaza conflict and alleged violations of human rights and war crimes. The Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed this decision and mentioned that these names will be included in the Schengen Information System along with other Israeli settlers.
The Palestinian ambassador to Spain, Husni Abdel Wahed, has expressed hope that other European countries will follow Spain's steps in adopting similar measures. The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas has celebrated Spain's initiatives to consolidate the arms embargo against Israel, viewing it as a significant political and moral step. Hamas has also called on other countries to adopt similar measures against Israel.
Ernest Urtasun, a minister of the Spanish party Sumar, has deemed the package of measures announced by President Sánchez as "very positive" and believes Spain is "setting the pace for the European Union." However, Urtasun stated that the European Union is "totally out of touch" on the issue of measures against Israel.
In response to the Spanish government's accusations of antisemitism, Sa'ar has announced that Israel will file a complaint with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) against Spain for "institutionalized antisemitism." Sa'ar has also reproached the "lack of historical consciousness of the crimes of Spain against the Jewish people" and has pointed out the "crimes of the Inquisition, forced religious conversions, and the Spanish Expulsion: the complete ethnic cleansing of the Jews at the end of the 15th century."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv due to the slanderous accusations against Spain. As tensions continue to rise, Sa'ar has stated that he will inform his allies about the "hostile conduct" of the Sánchez Executive, so that "everyone in the world" knows of its "dangerous nature." The future of the relationship between Israel and Spain remains uncertain as both sides dig in their heels and refuse to back down.
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