BERLIN – Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has attacked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, calling him an “enemy of Western civilization” for his opposition to the war in Iran and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Chikli accused Sánchez of siding with Israel’s enemies, including Iran and the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah. He also criticized the Spanish blockade of US military operations linked to the current US-Israeli air campaign against the Iranian regime.
“Sánchez decided to side with Maduro, with the Ayatollah,” Chikli said, adding that he viewed the Spanish leader as an enemy of Israel and Western civilization.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards put Sanchez’s face on a ballistic missile, which Chikli also pointed out during the briefing with some amusement
The remarks are likely to further strain relations after Spain earlier this month permanently withdrew its ambassador from Israel, a move glorified from Hamas.
Spain’s socialist government has been one of the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza and the Iranian regime. Madrid officially recognized the Palestinian state in 2024, another move that drew strong condemnation from Israel.
Sanchez, meanwhile, has been Europe’s most prominent critic of Israel and the US, an evolution his critics see as an attempt to divert public attention from a firestorm of corruption investigations engulfing his inner circle.
Chikli, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party, has previously created controversy for reaching out to European nationalist parties, although during the conference he stressed that he is not against immigration per se and has kept his distance from far-right parties such as Germany’s AfD.
He suggested that Israel maintain stronger ties with Spain’s right-wing opposition, saying it has “very good friends” in parties such as the national conservative party Vox, while expressing hope for a “friendlier government” in Madrid in the future.
Çikli said that Israel has no problem with Spain or the Spanish people, only with the current government.
Sanchez’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
(cs)
