Spain summons Israel diplomat over claims Sánchez is 'antisemitic liar'

Spain summoned Israel’s top diplomat on Tuesday for the second time in five days over remarks by Israel's foreign minister that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was antisemitic and a "liar".

Israel's charge d’affaires, Dana Erlich, was called in over "the unacceptable words and positions of the Israeli foreign minister," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Israel has not had an ambassador in Spain since the Sánchez government recognised the state of Palestine in 2024.

Spain's leftist government has been one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Madrid recalled its ambassador to Israel last week after announcing new measures aimed at "ending the genocide in Gaza,” further straining relations.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar recently described Sánchez as "antisemitic" and a "liar" after the Spanish leader expressed admiration for pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted Spain’s Vuelta cycling race.

Last Friday, Erlich was summoned after Netanyahu accused Sánchez of inciting genocide against Israel.

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