Spain ramps up criticism of Israel and US, defying threats

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - MADRID — Spain strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon on Thursday, cementing Madrid's role as an outspoken critic of the US and Israeli military campaigns despite President Donald Trump's threats to punish uncooperative NATO allies.

Spain’s opposition to the Iran conflict has further strained its relations with Washington, and figures within Trump’s MAGA movement are increasingly urging the US leader to punish Madrid.

In remarks to lawmakers, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described the conflict as an attack on civilization, echoing scathing criticism heaped by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Trump’s decision to attack the Islamic Republic.

“We’re facing the greatest assault on the civilization built upon the humanist ideals of reason, peace, understanding and universal law over the abuse of power, brute force and arbitrariness,” Albares said.

He accused Israel of violating international law and the newly brokered two-week ceasefire after a massive wave of airstrikes across Lebanon killed more than ‌250 people on Wednesday.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Sanchez hit out at his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over continued aggression in Lebanon, stating that the latter's "contempt for life and international law is intolerable."

Sanchezhas closed Spanish airspace ‌to any ⁠aircraft involved ⁠in a confrontation he has described as reckless and illegal.

On Wednesday night, he reiterated his call for the European Union to scuttle its association agreement with Israel, urging an end to “impunity for (Israel’s) criminal actions.”

Sanchez has welcomed the Pakistani-brokered ceasefire, but said Spain would “not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they turn up with a bucket,” in reference to the US administration.

Also on Wednesday, Spain and Italy both summoned Israeli envoys in protest at separate incidents involving UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Madrid said a Spanish UNIFIL member had been unjustly ⁠detained by the Israeli army.

Earlier this week, Albares said Trump publicly mulling a withdrawal from the alliance was prompting European countries to consider alternative security arrangements.

On Thursday, Albares also announced that Spain would reopen its embassy in Tehran in hopes of achieving peace in the region.

“I’ve instructed our ambassador in Tehran to return, to take up his post again and reopen our embassy, and for us to join in this effort for peace from every possible quarter, including from the Iranian capital itself,” Albares told reporters.

Spanish ties with the US took a hit last year ‌when Madrid rejected Trump’s demand that NATO allies ramp up their defense spending to ‌5 percent of gross domestic product. Madrid’s stance led Trump to threaten to cut off all trade.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said in March ‌the US should pull out from two jointly operated air bases in southern Spain and move “to a country that will ‌allow us to use them.”

In Spain, the government’s position remains widely popular, as polls show an overwhelming majority rejects the war. According to recent surveys, Sanchez’s Socialist Party has gained voter support while far-right Vox, which backed the US and Israel, has seen a decline.

Meanwhile, Beijing says that Lebanon’s sovereignty “should not be violated” after Israel said it had carried out strikes against Hezbollah military infrastructure.

“Lebanon’s sovereignty and security should not be violated. The safety of civilian lives and property must be guaranteed,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning tells a regular press conference, adding Beijing urged restraint and “a cooling down of the regional situation.”