Israel condemns Spain over ‘antisemitic hatred’ after Netanyahu effigy blown up | EUROtoday

Israel has issued a diplomatic reprimand to Spain’s most senior diplomat in Tel Aviv following the detonation of an enormous effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Spanish city this week.

The seven-metre (23-foot) determine, filled with 14 kilograms (31 lb) of gunpowder, was a part of a decades-old ceremony held on 5 April in El Burgo, a small city close to the southern metropolis of Malaga.

Mayor Maria Dolores Narvaez informed native tv that the annual occasion has beforehand featured effigies of figures reminiscent of Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the incident, stating on X: “The appalling antisemitic hatred on display here is a direct result of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government’s systemic incitement.” The assertion included a video clip of the occasion.

In response, a Spanish Foreign Ministry supply asserted: “The Spanish government is committed to fighting against antisemitism and any form of hate or discrimination. As such we totally reject any insidious allegation which suggests the contrary.”

The incident additional escalates a long-running diplomatic dispute between Spain and Israel, which started over the Gaza battle.

Spain has been an outspoken critic of US and Israeli army campaigns within the area, regardless of warnings from the US concerning uncooperative Nato allies. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar beforehand labelled a Spanish ban on plane and ships carrying weapons to Israel as antisemitic.

Conversely, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares accused Israel of violating worldwide legislation and a two-week ceasefire following a wave of airstrikes throughout Lebanon this week.

Mr Netanyahu countered on Wednesday that Lebanon was not a part of the ceasefire and that Israel’s army would proceed to strike Hezbollah.

Mr Sanchez, a distinguished opponent of the Iran battle, has closed Spanish airspace to any plane concerned in what he has described as a reckless and unlawful confrontation.