
‘Anti-Israel Obsession’: Israel Bans Spain From Trump Plan Gaza Coordination Center
Israel has moved to exclude Spain from participating in a key coordination hub tied to President Donald Trump’s regional initiative, citing what it describes as persistent hostility from Madrid toward Israeli policy and interests.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar made the decision on Friday in consultation with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, determining that Spain will no longer be allowed to take part in the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) located in Kiryat Gat, a body established within President Trump’s peace framework.
In a statement explaining the move, the Foreign Ministry said the step was taken due to “the anti-Israel obsession of Prime Minister Sánchez’s government and its serious harm to Israeli (and also American) interests, including during the war against Iran.”
Sa’ar elaborated on the government’s position, stating: “The Sánchez government’s anti-Israel bias is so egregious that it has lost all capability to serve as a constructive actor in implementing President Trump’s peace plan and in the CMCC operating under that plan.”
Spanish officials have already been formally informed of the decision.
Washington was also notified ahead of time about Israel’s intention to remove Spain from the coordination mechanism.
Later in the day, Netanyahu addressed the issue directly, saying: “Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us. Spain has defamed our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF, the soldiers of the most moral army in the world.”
He continued by announcing concrete action: “Therefore, I have instructed today to remove Spain’s representatives from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel. Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region.”
Netanyahu added a sharp warning: “I am not willing to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I do not intend to allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying an immediate price.”
The backdrop to the decision is a growing confrontation between Israel and Spain in recent weeks, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has taken a leading role among European leaders criticizing Israel’s actions and the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign targeting Iran. Sánchez has repeatedly labeled the campaign unlawful and cautioned that it could further inflame tensions across the Middle East, urging a diplomatic route rather than continued military operations.
Madrid has backed up its rhetoric with policy steps, declining to permit U.S. forces to utilize Spanish bases for operations connected to strikes on Iran and scaling back cooperation tied to the conflict. According to reports, Spain has also limited the use of its airspace for aircraft involved in such missions.
At the same time, Sánchez has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s broader military activity, including operations in Lebanon, warning that they could result in destruction on a scale similar to Gaza. Spanish officials, however, have pushed back against Israeli claims that their stance aligns them with Iran, maintaining that their position is rooted in opposition to escalation and a commitment to international law.