After kicking Spain out of Gaza ceasefire center, Netanyahu promises that countries opposing Israel will pay ‘immediate price’

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a video statement criticizing Spain on April 10, 2026. (Screen capture/GPO)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a video statement criticizing Spain on April 10, 2026. (Screen capture/GPO)

Countries that “wage a diplomatic war” against Israel will pay “an immediate price,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel boots Spain from the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat.

The CMCC oversees the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Spain had a permanent presence at the headquarters, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us,” he says in a video statement.

“Spain has defamed our heroes, IDF soldiers — the soldiers of the most moral army in the world,” Netanyahu continues.

The move is sure to play well in the White House. Spain closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, after it denied use of jointly-operated military bases.

Ties between Jerusalem and Madrid steadily deteriorated over the following two years as Spain’s government expressed increasing anger and frustration against Israel over the war in Gaza.

Last month, Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador to Israel. It sent its ambassador back to Iran this week.

“Those who attack Israel instead of terrorist regimes — whoever does so — will not be our partner regarding the future of the region,” says Netanyahu.

“I am not prepared to tolerate this hypocrisy and this hostility,” he concludes. “I do not intend to allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying an immediate price.”

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