Netanyahu Expels Spain From US-Led Gaza Coordination Center: 'I Will Not Tolerate This Hypocrisy'
Israel removed Spain from the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat after Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Madrid of waging a "diplomatic war" against Israel. The expulsion came days after Spanish PM Sanchez called Israeli conduct an intolerable "contempt for life and international law."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on April 10 that he has expelled Spain from the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat, the US-led facility responsible for monitoring the Gaza ceasefire and coordinating humanitarian aid delivery.
"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 centre in Kiryat Gat, after Spain has chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel."
In a video statement posted to X, Netanyahu went further: "I am not willing to tolerate this hypocrisy and hostility. I will not allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against us without paying a heavy price."
What Triggered It
The expulsion followed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's public refusal to support the US-brokered ceasefire framework. On April 8, Sanchez directed a message at the Trump administration: "Spain won't applaud those who set the world on fire." He called Israeli military conduct in Gaza and Lebanon an intolerable "contempt for life and international law" and demanded Lebanon be included in ceasefire discussions.
Netanyahu framed the response in broader terms: "Those who attack the State of Israel instead of terrorist regimes will not be our partners regarding the future of the region."
The Coordination Center
The CMCC was established as part of President Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza. Located in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel, the US-led multinational facility brings together military personnel and diplomats to oversee ceasefire implementation and coordinate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Spain had been one of the participating nations.
According to The Hill, the expulsion was carried out with Washington's blessing.
A Relationship in Collapse
Spain-Israel relations have deteriorated through a series of escalating steps:
- 2024: Spain formally recognized the state of Palestine, prompting Israel to downgrade diplomatic ties
- March 4, 2026: Spanish PM Sanchez issued a formal institutional statement condemning Israeli military operations
- March 2026: Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador from Israel in protest over Gaza operations and the joint US-Israeli campaign targeting Iran
- April 8, 2026: Sanchez publicly rebuked the Trump administration's ceasefire framework
- April 10, 2026: Netanyahu expelled Spain from the CMCC
The broader context includes US-Spain tensions as well. President Trump has criticized Madrid for refusing military base access and airspace for Iran-related operations, with Washington warning it may reconsider its military presence in Spain.