Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"For a long time, the government of Spain under PM Sánchez has been operating against the State of Israel in every way possible.

Sánchez and his ministers level false blood libels against Israel and its army, defame and incite against Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The government of Spain has been attempting to harm us in international institutions, including repeated - and unsuccessful - attempts to push sanctions against us in the European Union.

During the war against Iran, it acted against our interests and against the interests of our ally, the United States of America.

Today I decided, in coordination with Prime Minister Netanyahu, to notify Spain that it will no longer be permitted to continue participating in the Civil Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat (CMCC).

Spain’s obsessive anti-Israel bias under Sánchez’s leadership is so egregious that it has lost all capability to serve a constructive role in implementing US President's peace plan and the center operating under it.

I briefed our American friends in advance of this decision."

Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (Friday, 10 April 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:

“Israel will not remain silent in the face of those who attack us.

Spain has defamed our heroes, the soldiers of the IDF, the soldiers of the most moral army in the world.

Therefore, I have instructed today to remove Spain's representatives from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel.

Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region.

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

Patriarch Theophilos III arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to begin the ceremony of the Descent of the Holy Fire:

https://www.youtube.com/live/5aRGZZvdC40?si=_B6MnSj4OfxRjfwO

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Eliot Engel, a true friend of Israel and a lifelong public servant. Throughout his many years in Congress, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between the U.S.A. and Israel.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of working with him. May his memory be a blessing.

The appalling antisemitic hatred on display here is a direct result of Spanish government’s systemic incitement.

And even now, the Spanish government remains silent.

The Spanish chargé d’affaires was summoned for a reprimand.