Israel’s Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Spain’s charge d’affaires in Tel Aviv, Francisca Pedros, for a reprimand over remarks by Spanish Youth Minister Sira Rego supporting a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.”
The move came after Rego said the Spanish public supports the establishment of a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the remarks are part of the Spanish government’s “systematic anti-Israel policy” under Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.
There was no immediate comment from the Spanish government on the Israeli move.
Rego made the remarks Thursday while presenting Palestinian Ambassador to Spain Fadi Elhusseini at an event in Madrid, according to Spanish media.
She said Spain had taken “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,” she added.
She also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “war criminal” and condemned Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Relations between Spain and Israel have been strained over Madrid’s condemnation of the Israeli war on Gaza. Spain formally recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024.
In April 2026, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares urged the EU to take stronger measures against Israel, including reconsidering its ties with Tel Aviv, asking what more had to happen before the bloc responded to Israel’s violations of international law and human rights.
More than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 175,000 others in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza since 2023. The offensive has also destroyed around %90 of the enclave’s infrastructure.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, the Israeli army has continued daily attacks in Gaza, killing over 1,400 Palestinians and injuring around 5,000 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
