DID Press: Israel has summoned and reprimanded the senior Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv following the explosion of a large effigy of Benjamin Netanyahu during a local event in southern Spain, in a move that has further escalated diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday that it views the incident as a “display of antisemitic hatred” and attributed it to what it called “systematic incitement” by the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The statement also referenced a video of the event, which international media outlets have not independently verified.
The incident took place in the small town of El Burgo near Málaga, where a seven-meter effigy of Netanyahu containing approximately 14 kilograms of explosives was detonated during a traditional festival. The mayor of the town, María Dolores Narváez, said the event has a decades-long tradition and has previously featured effigies of figures such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
In response, a Spanish Foreign Ministry source stressed that the government “firmly opposes antisemitism and all forms of hatred or discrimination,” rejecting Israel’s allegations as “completely unfounded.”
The latest dispute comes amid already strained relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv due to disagreements over the war in Gaza and Israel’s military policies in the region. Spain has also been among the most vocal critics of the Israel–United States military actions in the region, including in Iran and Lebanon.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had previously described Spain’s restrictions on the transit of Israel-related arms through its airspace and ports as “antisemitic.” In contrast, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has accused Israel of violating international law and ceasefire agreements.
The incident marks a new phase in the deepening diplomatic rift between the two countries, highlighting ongoing political and strategic tensions.