Spain's Envoy Summoned by Israel After Youth Minister's Remarks

Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned the acting head of the Spanish Embassy in Tel Aviv for a reprimand on Monday, following controversial statements by Spain's Youth Minister, Sira Rego. The summons was issued by Gilad Cohen, head of the diplomatic-strategic division, under the direction of Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

Rego had stated that the Spanish public supports a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea." Israeli officials interpreted this slogan as a call for the elimination of the State of Israel. The Foreign Ministry asserted that Rego's remarks align with a "systematic anti-Israel policy" by the Spanish government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Israel's Foreign Ministry further noted that Rego had previously refrained from condemning the October 7th Hamas attacks and was denied entry to Israel in September 2025. They stated her comments reflect the current Spanish government's direction, which supports a vision that "means the elimination of the State of Israel." This comes while the Spanish Prime Minister "attacks Israel over its very right to defend itself against Iran and Hamas."

The ministry accused the Spanish government of losing its moral compass, stating, "Instead of standing with the fight against terror and threats to Israel's security, it has turned Israel into the punching bag of its foreign policy and is taking an active part in a campaign against Israel and its existence."