Spanish Foreign Minister Calls Israeli Diplomat After Comments From Netanyahu's Office

JAKARTA - Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares summoned Israel's attorney in Madrid on Friday over the latest statement about Spain made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Albares summoned Dana Erlich, who currently serves as Israel's top diplomat in Madrid to "firmly reject false statements and slander from the Israeli prime minister's office", the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In X's post on Thursday, Netanyahu's office accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of throwing "an threat of genocide", referring to Sanchez's announcement on Monday of new measures against arms and fuel shipments to Israel.

Sanchez confirmed the steps, saying Spain had no nuclear bombs, aircraft carriers, or large oil reserves to pressure Israel to stop what it called a "genocide".

Israel firmly denies its actions in Gaza constitute genocide, and is fighting for the case at the International Court in The Hague which accuses it of committing genocide.

The US State Department also expressed concern over the restrictions imposed by Madrid on ships and aircraft delivering military-class jets or fuel to Israel, as well as a ban on Israeli national security and finance ministers.