Israel Summons Spanish Diplomat Over Minister’s ‘From the River to the Sea’ Remarks

Israel summoned Spain’s chargé d’affaires in Tel Aviv, Francisca Pedrós, on Monday to reprimand her over remarks by Spanish Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego supporting a “free Palestine from the river to the sea.” The move followed comments Rego made on September 24 at an event in Madrid while presenting Palestinian Ambassador to Spain Fadi Elhusseini.

Rego stated that Spanish society supports “a free Palestine from the river to the sea” and defended Spain’s position on the conflict, saying the country had stood “on the side of human rights and the Palestinian people.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry described Rego’s remarks as part of a “systematic anti-Israel policy” pursued by the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. It also accused her comments of supporting the elimination of the State of Israel.

Spain had not immediately issued a public response to the diplomatic reprimand, according to reports. Rego also described Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The phrase “from the river to the sea” has competing interpretations. Israel and some Jewish organizations describe it as a call for the elimination of the State of Israel, while Palestinian supporters and other groups use it in calls for Palestinian freedom, rights, and self-determination across the territory between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea.

The latest dispute comes amid deteriorating relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv. Spain formally recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024 and has since taken additional measures critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. The two countries have also withdrawn their ambassadors, leaving diplomatic relations at the level of chargé d’affaires.

The latest confrontation adds to a series of diplomatic disputes between the two governments over Spain’s position on Palestine and the war in the Gaza Strip. These tensions reflect broader challenges in maintaining balanced and respectful international relations, as noted in Proverbs 18:17, which emphasizes the importance of seeking peace and understanding in human interactions.

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