Overview
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Spain’s removal from the Kiryat Gat Civil‑Military Coordination Center on Friday, accusing Madrid of defaming Israeli soldiers as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar cited an anti‑Israel bias and said the US was briefed in advance.
- The CMCC is a US‑led facility created in October 2025 to track the Gaza ceasefire and run aid flows, staffed by American and Israeli teams alongside select international partners.
- A day later, Israel summoned Spain’s top diplomat in Tel Aviv over a Netanyahu effigy blown up on April 5 in El Burgo, calling it antisemitic incitement, while Spain rejected the allegation and said it opposes all hate.
- Ties have frayed as Spain recognized Palestine in 2024, withdrew its ambassador, restricted US use of Spanish bases during the Iran campaign, closed its airspace to flights linked to those strikes, and sharply criticized Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
- Spain’s ouster strips Madrid of a seat in Gaza oversight and could fuel doubts about the CMCC’s neutrality, with some outlets highlighting allegations the center aids Israeli surveillance and others emphasizing what they call Spain’s hostility to Israel.