Spain lowers the level of its diplomatic representation in Israel
The Spanish government has decided to definitively withdraw its ambassador to Israel, Ana Sálomon, as published this Wednesday in the Boletín Oficial del Estado.
The definitive withdrawal of the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv, as explained by the newspaper La Vanguardia, forces the Spanish government to ask the Israeli executive for approval when it understands that it must resume diplomatic relations at the highest level.
The Spanish newspaper also adds that, taking into account the government’s criticism of Israel, it is not certain that a new appointment will take place soon.
The Spanish government’s decision currently places the Spanish Embassy in Israel in the same situation as the Israeli Embassy in Spain, that is, governed by a charge d’affaires.
This is because in May 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu’s executive withdrew its ambassador, Rodica Radian-Gordon, following Spain’s recognition of the Palestinian state.
Ana Salómon, in office since 2021, had already been called to Madrid to provide clarifications in September, after a clash with Benjamin Netanyahu’s executive, and has been in Spain since then.
The newspaper El País, which cites diplomatic sources, states that the ambassador’s resignation is a decision of a political nature and, as such, has nothing to do with the management carried out by Ana Salómon.
The departure of the ambassador to Israel adds to that of the ambassador to Nicaragua, Sergio Farré Salvá, also published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on March 3, after the diplomat was expelled by Daniel Ortega’s regime at the end of January. Now, as in the case of Sálomon, the government must appoint a new ambassador and request authorization from the Ortega regime.
