17 hrs ago
Israel Summons Spanish Envoy Over Sira Rego Remarks
Israel called in a Spanish diplomatic representative to object to comments by Spanish Youth Minister Sira Rego.
Rego supported a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.”
Israel says this phrase can mean removing Israel as a country.
Israel also accused Spain’s government of following an anti-Israel policy.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Rego did not condemn the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.
Rego has said Palestinians have a right to resist after many years of occupation.
She has also shared posts criticizing Israel and calling for Israeli diplomats to be expelled from Spain.
Israel and Spain therefore have sharply different views about the conflict and how it should be discussed.
Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires after Minister Sira Rego backed a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.”
Israel said the slogan implies eliminating the State of Israel and reflects Spain’s systematic anti-Israel policy.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized Rego for not condemning the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks.
Rego has said Palestinians have the right to resist after decades of occupation and has shared criticism of Israel.
Israel previously barred Rego and Spain’s deputy prime minister from entering the country in September 2025.
- Who
- Israel, Spain’s chargé d’affaires, Spanish Youth Minister Sira Rego, and the Spanish government led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
- What
- Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires over Rego’s support for a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea.”
- Where
- The dispute concerns Israel and Spain; the article does not specify where the diplomatic summons occurred.
- When
- On Monday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Israel said Rego’s remarks imply the elimination of Israel and reflect a broader anti-Israel policy by Spain’s government.
Israel’s Position
Rego’s Position
Meaning of the slogan
Israel’s Position
Israel says “from the river to the sea” implies a vision that would eliminate the State of Israel.
Rego’s Position
Rego supports a Palestinian state using the phrase “from the river to the sea”; the article does not provide her direct response to Israel’s interpretation.
Palestinian resistance
Israel’s Position
Israel criticized Rego for not condemning the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks.
Rego’s Position
Rego has said Palestinians have the right to resist after decades of occupation.
Spain’s policy toward Israel
Israel’s Position
Israel described Spain’s government policy as systematically anti-Israel and accused Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of attacking Israel’s right to defend itself.
Rego’s Position
Rego has shared posts calling Israel undemocratic and corrupt and urging the expulsion of Israel’s diplomatic delegation from Spain.
Key facts
- Spanish minister
- Sira Rego, Spain’s youth minister
- Disputed phrase
- “From the river to the sea,” referring to a Palestinian state
- Israeli interpretation
- Israel says the phrase implies eliminating the State of Israel
- Israeli criticism
- Israel said Rego did not condemn the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks
- Spanish prime minister
- Pedro Sanchez
- Earlier action
- Israel barred Rego and Spain’s deputy prime minister from entering the country in September 2025
Quotes
Israeli Foreign Ministry
Israel’s government ministry responsible for foreign affairs
“This comes as the Spanish Prime Minister attacks Israel for exercising its fundamental right to defend itself, both against Iran and against Hamas”
firstpost.com
“part of a systematic anti-Israel policy pursued by the Spanish government”
firstpost.com
Sources
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