A Russian newspaper, Vzglyad, recently examined the historical factors behind Spain’s tense relationship with Israel — an animosity that explains Madrid’s firm and uncompromising stance toward Tel Aviv amid its ongoing war on Gaza.
The report noted that while many European states have increased their criticism of Israel’s aggression and siege on Gaza, Spain has stood out as one of the loudest and most severe voices against Israeli policies.
At one point, Spanish officials even went so far as to express “regret at not possessing a nuclear weapon” to use as a deterrent against Israel.
Unprecedented Measures
In a move without precedent, the Spanish government banned the use of its major military bases — such as Rota and Morón de la Frontera — for American arms transfers to Israel.
This decision formed part of a broader package of measures, including:
- Halting all arms exports to Israel.
- Demanding Israel’s exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Cancelling the final stage of the famous Vuelta a España cycling race following massive pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, lashed out at Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his government, calling them a “disgrace to Spain.” He accused Sánchez of incitement, citing the prime minister’s remarks about regretting Spain’s lack of a nuclear weapon.
Spain had already recognised the State of Palestine in 2024. Sánchez described the move as “a matter of historic justice and a response to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” as well as “a necessary step towards peace.”
This position resonates strongly with Spanish public opinion. A survey by the Royal Elcano Institute showed that 82 percent of Spaniards believe what is happening in Gaza constitutes “genocide.”
Franco’s Era and Relations with the Arab World
To understand Spain’s hardened stance against Israel, one must look back at history. Diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel were not established until 1986.
Under General Francisco Franco (1939–1975), Spain refused to recognise Israel, choosing instead to build close ties with Arab and Mediterranean states.
Franco’s regime, isolated after siding with the Axis during World War II, was denied UN membership until 1955. Western states withdrew ambassadors, but Arab states became valuable allies. Spain welcomed large numbers of Arab students — including Palestinians — into its universities, laying the groundwork for a permanent Arab presence in Spanish society.
As Luz Gómez, professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at Madrid’s Autonomous University, explained: “The Spanish did not participate in World War II and therefore never felt a special responsibility toward European Jews who suffered under Nazism.”
Rosa María Pardo Sanz, director of Contemporary History at Spain’s National Distance Education University, added that Franco refused to recognise Israel both to gain the votes of Arab monarchies and revolutionary regimes such as Nasser’s Egypt and Saddam’s Iraq, and to secure Arab support for Spain’s claim over Gibraltar.
Alliances with Arab states also allowed Spain to weather oil crises and reduce tensions with Morocco over Western Sahara. At times, Israel’s opposition to lifting Spain’s diplomatic boycott in 1949 was itself cited as a reason for Franco’s refusal to recognise Israel.
Haizam Amirah Fernández, executive director of the Contemporary Arab Studies Centre, noted that Franco successfully strengthened Spain’s international standing through his alignment with the Arab world, many of whose countries were then achieving independence.
Ultimately, Arab support helped Spain secure UN membership and gradually legitimise Franco’s regime on the global stage.
Post-Franco Shifts
After Franco’s death, Spain entered a transitional phase. During this period, Spaniards expressed genuine sympathy for the Palestinian people, evident in Yasser Arafat’s 1979 visit to Madrid.
Official relations with Israel were finally established in 1986 under the socialist government of Felipe González, a condition set by the European Economic Community (now the EU) for Spain’s membership.
Still, Madrid’s support for Palestine persisted. In November 2012, Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government voted in favour of granting Palestine non-member observer status at the UN General Assembly.
Spain’s close ties with the Arab world enabled it to play the role of mediator between Palestinians and Israelis. This culminated in Madrid hosting the 1991 Peace Conference — a prelude to the Oslo Accords — at the request of then US President George H.W. Bush.
For years afterward, Spain maintained what it called “warm and normal” relations with Israel, extending to trade, intelligence, and security cooperation.
In 2015, a law granted descendants of Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in the 15th century the right to claim Spanish citizenship — a gesture of goodwill toward Jewish communities. Yet no such law was passed for the descendants of expelled Moriscos (Muslims forced to convert or expelled), highlighting a lingering double standard.
With the expiry of the Sephardic citizenship law in 2023, Spain’s relations with Israel rapidly deteriorated, leading to today’s near-total rupture.
Conclusion
Spain’s enduring sympathy for Palestine and hostility toward Israel diverge sharply from the broader pro-Israel sentiment within the European Union.
As Vzglyad concludes, this position is not a temporary political manoeuvre but the product of deep historical roots that make Spain one of Europe’s staunchest defenders of the Palestinian cause.
