Spain Ends Mission of Ambassador to Israel

Spain's government has ended the mission of its ambassador to Israel amid tensions stemming from the war in the Middle East.

The decision was announced in Spain's official government gazette published on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Following a review at the Council of Ministers meeting on March 10, the government decided to terminate the assignment of Ana Maria Salomon Perez, Spain's ambassador to Israel. The move was proposed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and International Cooperation.

An official government statement confirmed the decision came after deliberation in the Council of Ministers. A source in Spain's Foreign Ministry, cited by Reuters, said the Spanish embassy in Tel Aviv will temporarily be managed by a charge d'affaires.

This action occurs as Spain has been a vocal critic of Israel's conduct in the Gaza war and related clashes involving Iran. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez previously described a U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran as "unjustifiable" and reiterated Madrid's stance of "no to war."

Additionally, Spain's parliament approved a law in October that prohibits all sales of weapons, military equipment and dual-use technologies to Israel.