Israel( The COW News Digital)Israel has imposed a ban on Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Minister for Youth and Children Sira Rego, barring them from entering the country after they condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
According to international media reports, the Israeli government took the step following repeated statements from the Spanish officials calling for sanctions against Israel and describing it as a “genocidal state.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed the decision, stating that both leaders are subject to “full diplomatic and personal sanctions.” He added that the two ministers will not be permitted to visit Israel and that the Israeli government will suspend all forms of engagement with them.
Sa’ar accused Díaz and Rego of “irresponsible and inflammatory rhetoric,” pointing specifically to their labeling of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and Lebanon as genocide. He further revealed that consultations are ongoing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider extending similar restrictions to other foreign officials who make comparable accusations against Israel.
The move comes after Yolanda Díaz condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, calling them “crimes against humanity.” She urged the European Union to halt all arms exports to Israel and to impose international sanctions. Similarly, Sira Rego openly called Israel a “genocidal state” and pressed the EU to sever diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also taken a firm stance, announcing nine new measures aimed at halting what he described as genocide in Gaza. These include a permanent ban on arms exports to Israel.
This latest development adds to a growing list of international figures denied entry into Israel for voicing solidarity with Palestinians or criticizing Israeli military actions. Over recent months, Israel has blacklisted numerous Western officials, activists, and humanitarian representatives.
The bans come as Israel faces mounting international legal challenges. In November last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. At the same time, Israel is under investigation at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged acts of genocide.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations and the United Nations report that more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with much of the territory reduced to rubble.
