Israel has announced that it has barred Spain from participating in the operations of the U.S.-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) designed to stabilize Gaza following a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The center, located in Kiryat Gat, was established on October 10, shortly after the ceasefire took effect, with the aims of monitoring the truce and facilitating the humanitarian aid flow into the Palestinian territory, which has suffered extensive devastation from more than two years of conflict.
Currently, military personnel and diplomats from other nations, including France, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, are engaged in the CMCC’s activities, focusing on security and humanitarian issues vital for the recovery of Gaza. Until recently, Spain had also been involved in the CMCC’s work, contributing to discussions pertaining to the ongoing situation.
However, Israel’s foreign ministry issued a statement declaring its decision on Friday to prevent Spain from attending further CMCC meetings. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed that Spain’s government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, had demonstrated an “anti-Israel bias” so severe that it could no longer be viewed as a constructive participant in the implementation of what he described as U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
The relationship between Israel and Spain has significantly deteriorated in recent years, especially since Spain recognized a Palestinian state in 2024. Following this recognition, both nations have withdrawn their ambassadors in a show of escalating diplomatic tensions.
Prime Minister Sanchez has openly criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which escalated after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Furthermore, Sanchez opposed the U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran that began earlier in the year, further straining ties. Saar has leveled allegations against the Spanish government, accusing it of supporting oppressive regimes and facilitating what he deemed incitements to genocide against Jews and war crimes due to its stance on Palestinian statehood.
Historically, Spain’s diplomatic relations with Israel have only existed since 1986, a significant shift occurring after the death of General Francisco Franco, whose regime had refrained from recognizing Israel and maintained closer ties with Arab nations. As tensions continue to rise, the geopolitical landscape in the region remains fraught with complexities that further complicate efforts for peace and stability.
