Israel vetoes ministers Yolanda Díaz and Sira Rego, and the Foreign Ministry responds that it is "unacceptable."

Netanyahu's cabinet says it made this decision following Sánchez's announcement of new measures against Israel for the genocide in Gaza, which will be implemented immediately. These measures include the legal consolidation of the arms embargo, a ban on those implicated in the genocide entering Spain, and increased humanitarian aid.

It will also establish a "no contact policy" with both ministers for calling for a boycott of Israeli products, repeatedly declaring Israel a "genocidal state," and celebrating Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state in May, saying that it "is only the first step toward the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea."

"It is clear that Díaz, leader of the extremist 'Sumar' party, is taking advantage of President Sánchez's political weakness and is dragging him, step by step, into implementing his anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic vision," Saar said in a statement, accusing Spain of maintaining "institutionalized anti-Semitism."

Minister Rego "demanded that the European Union sever all ties with Israel and impose sanctions at all levels. Last week, she supported the violent demonstrations against the Israeli team at the International Cycling Tour," Saar said on his X account.

"Additional decisions will be made later, in consultation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu," the Israeli minister warned, even alleging that the "corrupt Sánchez government" is trying to "distract attention" from its "corruption scandals through continued anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic attacks."

" The Spanish government is leading a hostile anti-Israel line , with unbridled and hateful rhetoric," said Minister Saar, who said he had made the decision to prevent the ministers from entering the country "with the consent of the Prime Minister."

In addition, Saar will present some of the statements made by members of the Spanish government against Israel to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) plenary session for an assessment of what he calls "blatant antisemitism."

Foreign Affairs rejects the "slanderous accusations of anti-Semitism"

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and Cooperation has strongly condemned the "false and slanderous accusations of antisemitism by the Israeli government toward Spain and the Spanish people," and has also described the entry ban on Díaz and Rego to Israel as "unacceptable."

In a statement, José Manuel Albares' Ministry criticized Israel's response to the measures announced Monday by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the "inhumane situation in Gaza and the West Bank." It also warned that it "will not be intimidated in its defense of peace, international law, and human rights."

In this regard, the Foreign Ministry maintains that the measures announced by Sánchez, such as the legal arms embargo on Israel and the entry ban on anyone participating in "genocide," respond to the majority sentiment of Spanish society and "are adopted within the framework of its sovereignty and in line with its defense of peace, human rights, and international law."

The Ministry recalls other measures approved by the Executive that favor Israeli interests, such as the fact that in recent years it has granted citizenship to 72,000 Sephardim—"who are now our fellow citizens," it maintains—and the fact that Pedro Sánchez's government "immediately condemned the horrific attack by the terrorist group Hamas," demanding "the release of all hostages at all times."

He also refers to the approval of the first National Plan to Combat Antisemitism in January 2023 and the decision to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. "This Government is committed to combating antisemitism and racism and to a country where there is no room for discrimination of any kind," he emphasizes.

"Likewise, in a sovereign manner," the Foreign Ministry continues, "the Government of Spain defends the existence of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in good neighborliness and mutually guaranteeing peace and security."

In this regard, he reiterated that Spain "demands that Israel end its occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, end the violence unleashed against the Palestinian civilian population, and end the humanitarian blockade of the Strip." "The Spanish government will not be intimidated in its defense of peace, international law, and human rights," he concluded.