Crisis with Israel: Madrid terminates the functions of its ambassador in Tel Aviv

The Spanish government formalized this Wednesday the end of mission of its ambassador to Israel, Ana Sálomon, recalled to Madrid since September 2025 after a new episode of strong diplomatic tensions with the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision, published in the Official State Bulletin and ratified by the king Felipe VI on the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares, ends the mandate of the diplomat, stationed in Tel Aviv since July 2021.

Ana Sálomon was recalled to Madrid on September 8, 2025 “for consultations”, a diplomatic measure used to mark an official protest between states. Madrid then denounced accusations deemed “slanderous” on the part of Israel as well as measures taken against Spanish ministers Yolanda Diaz And Sira Rego. This decision is in line with the line adopted by the government of Pedro Sanchezone of the few in Europe to denounce the genocide in Gaza, according to the words used by Madrid to describe the Israeli military action.

With this decision, Spain will now have to appoint a new head of mission and obtain approval from the Israeli authorities if it wishes to re-establish diplomatic representation at the highest level. Israel, for its part, still does not have an ambassador in Madrid.

At a time when many European capitals are locked into diplomatic prudence which often borders on silence, Madrid’s position stands out for its clarity. By denouncing the genocide in Gaza and taking strong diplomatic gestures against the government of Benjamin NetanyahuSpain appears today as one of the rare voices in Europe to refuse the trivialization of the Palestinian tragedy. For many observers, this position contributes to preserving what remains of moral and political credibility on the European continent in the face of the genocide taking place in Gaza.