After Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez criticized military action in the Gaza Strip, Israel recalled its Madrid ambassador to Jerusalem for consultations. Additionally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday ordered Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to summon the Spanish ambassador to Israel to the Foreign Ministry for a protest against Sanchez’s “shameful” statements, the head of the cabinet announced. government.
In diplomacy, a summons is a moderately serious protest, but it is rare between friendly states. The withdrawal, usually only temporary, of an ambassador for consultations is a more severe form of disapproval.
In an interview with state television broadcaster RTVE, Sanchez once again called on Israel to act in accordance with international humanitarian law in the fight against Islamic Hamas. “Given the images we see and the growing number of people, especially children, who are dying, I have serious doubts that they are complying with international humanitarian law,” said the head of government of the EU’s fourth largest economy. Cohen called Sanchez’s comments “outrageous.” Israel upholds international law.