
The foreign minister also claimed that Sánchez had mobilized demonstrators, a few days after the Spanish leader expressed regret over not having an atomic bomb to “stop Israel.”
Sa’ar seemed to be referring to a speech on Sept. 8 where Sánchez highlighted Spain’s limited global influence. Madrid lacks “nuclear bombs, aircraft carriers, or large oil reserves,” the prime minister remarked, noting that Spain “cannot stop the Israeli offensive.”
This comment formed part of Sánchez’s broader appeal for global cooperation to end civilian casualties in Gaza.
Relations between Israel and Spain have become strained since 2023, when Sánchez emerged as one of the EU’s harshest critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Last year, Madrid recognized Palestinian statehood and recently imposed strict new measures on Israel, including a permanent weapons embargo.
In response to these announcements, Sa’ar accused the Spanish administration of “antisemitism” and using an “anti-Israeli stance” to “divert attention from serious corruption scandals.” He also prohibited two members of Sánchez’s cabinet from entering Israel, citing their alleged “support for terrorism and violence against Israelis.”
Protest action
Protestors have repeatedly interrupted this year’s Vuelta a España by blocking the race route, carrying Palestinian flags and signs condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza. In the past week, several Spanish officials have shown support for these demonstrations.













Leave a Reply