Israel has condemned the demonstrations as “monstrous anti-Semitism” and called Madrid the main culprits.
Israel has condemned Spain after a fireworks-filled effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was blown up during an Easter festival in the southern town of El Burgo.
The long-standing relationship between Madrid and West Jerusalem has been further strained by the US-Israeli attack on Iran, with Spain emerging as one of the biggest critics of the Western incursion.
Last month, Spain permanently withdrew its ambassador from Israel, officially downgrading diplomatic relations with the country.
This week, West Jerusalem removed Madrid from the US-backed coordination center in Kiryat Gat that oversees the Gaza ceasefire, calling it retaliation for opposing Israel and. “contaminate” its military.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry called Spain over the El Burgo festival on Saturday, declaring the show “monstrous anti-Semitism” and accuse Madrid “systematic provocation.” Spanish judges were called into the incident, it added.
Pictures from El Burgo, taken during Easter Sunday celebrations, show a large effigy of the Israeli prime minister engulfed in flames. The seven-meter (23-foot) figure was filled with 14 kilograms of fireworks that exploded to cheers from the crowd of onlookers.
The appalling antisemitic hatred on display here is a direct result of @sanchezcastejon systemic government incitement. And even now, the Spanish government remains silent. Spanish judges were called to rebuke. pic.twitter.com/2Bguhs7Ce8
– Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@IsraelMFA) April 11, 2026
The mayor of El Burgo, Maria Dolores Narvaez, defended the act and said that it is part of the area for decades. “The Burning of Judas” a tradition that previously did not cause any problems. Speaking to a television station in the country, he said that statues of foreign leaders have been shown many times during the celebrations.
Although Madrid did not give an official response to the latest accusations made by Israel, a Foreign Ministry source told Reuters they were completely baseless. “The Spanish government is committed to fighting against anti-Semitism and any form of hatred or discrimination. Therefore, we categorically reject any insidious claims that suggest the opposite,” a source told the agency.
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