Spain's Envoy Summoned After Youth Minister's Anti-Israel Remarks

Israel's Foreign Ministry summoned the acting ambassador of Spain on Monday for a reprimand following controversial statements by Spain's Youth Minister, Sira Rego. Rego declared that the Spanish public supports a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea," a slogan widely interpreted as calling for the elimination of Israel. The summons was ordered directly by Foreign Minister G Gideon Saar, with the ministry's diplomatic-strategic chief, Gilad Cohen, conducting the meeting.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Rego's remarks align with a "systematic anti-Israel policy" by the Spanish government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The ministry also recalled that Rego previously declined to condemn the October 7th Hamas attacks and was denied entry to Israel in September 2025. Officials emphasized that while the Spanish Prime Minister criticizes Israel's right to self-defense against Iran and Hamas, his government has "lost its compass" and become an active participant in a campaign against Israel's existence.

This diplomatic incident underscores ongoing tensions between Israel and Spain, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and perceived anti-Israel sentiment within certain European governments.