After threatening action, Spain introduces sanctions against Israel, recalls ambassador for consultation

Just days after news outlet El País reported that Spain was preparing to implement a complete embargo on trade with Israeli public and private defense companies, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced legal action over the situation in Gaza.

The action led to acrimonious comments between officials in both countries, which culminated in Spain recalling its ambassador to Israel for consultations. 

In a televised address on Monday, Sánchez announced a series of measures against Israel – including sanctions, an arms embargo, and entry bans on two Israeli government ministers – saying they were intended to “stop the genocide in Gaza, pursue its perpetrators, and support the Palestinian population.”

On Tuesday, the Spanish government announced it would bar Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir from entering the country over their alleged support for “genocide.” The move appears to be a response to Israel’s decision to sanction Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Children and Youth Minister Sira Rego for anti-Israel statements.

After the ban was announced, Ben Gvir wrote a message in Spanish on his 𝕏 account, "Don't let me in, give free entrance to Spain for the people in Gaza.” 

No me dejen entrar amí... a los de Gaza, denles entrada libre a España.

— איתמר בן גביר (@itamarbengvir) September 9, 2025

Sánchez has been a vocal critic of Israel and last year led Spain in recognizing the state of Palestine.

Before the prime minister announced the measures – which include barring Israel-bound ships and aircraft carrying weapons from Spanish ports and airspace, and banning imports from “illegal settlements” in Judea and Samaria – Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had already imposed sanctions on the two Spanish ministers, citing their “antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric.”

“The government of Spain is leading a hostile, anti-Israel line, marked by wild, hate-filled rhetoric,” Sa’ar said at the time. 

Announcing the sanctions against the two Spanish ministers, Sa’ar said, “It is no longer possible to avoid imposing personal sanctions on members of the Spanish government who have crossed every red line.” 

Sa’ar also downplayed the significance of the Spanish ban on weapons to Israel. 

“If they want to halt defense connections with Israel, who do you think will lose from that?” Sa’ar asked. “We don’t need Spain to protect the land of Israel. They probably need Israeli capabilities much more than we need them.” 

Following the shooting attack which killed six people near Jerusalem, Sa’ar again blasted Sánchez and the two ministers for choosing “to stand with Hamas and against Israel.” 

At the very same time that Spanish Prime Minister @sanchezcastejon attacked Israel - Palestinian terrorists attacked and murdered six Israelis, among them Yaakov Pinto, a new immigrant from Spain.
Sánchez and his twisted ministers who justified the October 7 massacre,
has long… pic.twitter.com/GDixio65Zd

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) September 8, 2025

Sa’ar noted that one of Israeli victims killed in the terror attack was a Spanish immigrant, Yaakov Pinto.