Several Spanish organizations, including some funded by Iran, are preparing to hold events across the country on October 6 and 7 to celebrate Hamas’ attack on Israel. The Spanish postal workers’ union decided to strike on October 9 to protest against “Israeli aggression”, without mentioning the massacre which took place in southern Israel.
The Israeli embassy in Madrid has asked Spanish authorities to cancel a parade planned by the Masar Badil organization celebrating Hamas atrocities in the city. Despite the embassy’s efforts, the parade is still expected to take place. Israeli officials noted that the embassy “works tirelessly to counter the Palestinian narrative and ensure that Israel’s voice is heard – both among official government and opposition figures and among the Spanish public “.
The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was received with all honors in Spain this week, including during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The latter promised that a bilateral meeting between Spain and the Palestinian Authority would take place soon.
Israel seems largely absent from the Spanish scene in the face of anti-Israeli sentiment present in the country. Sources familiar with Israeli-Spanish relations say that “inaction only strengthens the anti-Israeli stance and gives the impression that Israel has given up on Spain.”
Israel’s ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian, recalled in May, has since retired. His replacement, Zvi Vapni, is waiting for the government to decide whether and when he should take office.
“Israel’s frustration with Spain’s recent conduct is understandable and justified, but it is time to take action again, send an ambassador to Madrid and take a firm and aggressive stance to counter the deterioration continued relationship,” sources said. “We must not lose Spain, and to avoid that we must operate at full capacity in the country.”
