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Israel’s Foreign Ministry summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires in Tel Aviv, Francisca Pedros, on Monday to reprimand her over comments by Spanish Youth Minister Sira Rego supporting a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea,” Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Rego said the Spanish public backed the establishment of a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.” Israel described the remarks as part of what it called the Spanish government’s “systematic anti-Israel policy” under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
Spain’s government had not immediately commented on the Israeli move.
What did Spain’s minister say?
Rego made the comments on Thursday in Madrid while presenting Palestinian Ambassador to Spain Fadi Elhusseini at an event, according to Spanish media.
She said Spain had adopted “the right position on the Middle East conflict” and that the Spanish public supported “a free Palestine from the river to the sea.”
“We did not choose the wrong side. Standing up for human rights and standing with the Palestinian people is a source of deep pride for us,” Rego said.
She also described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Strained Spain-Israel relations
Relations between Spain and Israel have deteriorated amid Madrid’s criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Spain formally recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024.
In April 2026, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called on the European Union to adopt stronger measures against Israel, including reconsidering its ties with Tel Aviv. He questioned what further developments were needed before the bloc responded to what he described as Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 175,000 wounded in Israel’s war in Gaza since 2023, according to the report. The offensive has also destroyed about 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure.
Although a ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, the Israeli army has continued daily attacks in Gaza, killing more than 1,400 Palestinians and injuring around 5,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
