Israel's foreign ministry summoned Spain's ambassador for a reprimand over the effigy incident, which occurred on April 5 during a festival near Malaga. The ministry stated on X that the 'appalling anti-Semitic hatred on display' was 'a direct result' of 'systemic incitement' by the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. In response, a Spanish foreign ministry source told Reuters that the government is 'committed to fighting anti-Semitism and any form of hate or discrimination' and 'totally rejects any insidious allegation which suggests the contrary'. The source did not specify what actions, if any, Spain will take in response to Israel's accusations.
Spanish officials defended the festival as a traditional event, noting that the effigy was blown up with 14 kg of gunpowder as part of a decades-old ceremony. The annual event has previously featured effigies of figures such as US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It remains unclear whether the effigy of Netanyahu was intended as antisemitic or as political satire, given this tradition.
This incident further escalates a long-running diplomatic dispute between Spain and Israel, which began following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. Spain has been a vocal critic of US and Israeli military campaigns in the region, despite warnings from America over uncooperative NATO allies. The broader impact on Spain-Israel relations and international dynamics, such as within NATO or EU contexts, is not yet known, and no other countries or international bodies have commented publicly on the dispute.
Spain's obsessive anti-Israel bias under Sánchez's leadership is so egregious that it has lost all capability to serve a constructive role in implementing [Trump's] peace plan and the centre operating under it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has previously labeled a Spanish ban on aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel as antisemitic. Sa'ar said that during the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, the Spanish government acted against the interests of Israel and America.
The tensions intensified recently when, on Friday, Netanyahu ordered the removal of Spain's representatives from the Gaza ceasefire coordination centre in Kiryat Gat after Spain accused Israel of 'indiscriminate bombings' in Lebanon. Netanyahu stated on social media that he had instructed the removal of Spain's representatives after Spain repeatedly chose to stand against Israel.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accused Israel of violating international law and a two-week ceasefire, though the exact nature and timeline of the alleged 'indiscriminate bombings' in Lebanon have not been detailed. Netanyahu further asserted on social media that Spain has slandered Israeli soldiers and that he will not tolerate this hostility.