Spain strongly condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon as well as the broader war on Iran on Thursday, cementing Madrid's role as an outspoken critic of the US and Israeli military campaigns despite US threats to punish uncooperative NATO allies.
Spain's opposition to the conflict in Iran has further strained its relations with Washington, and figures within US President Donald Trump's MAGA movement are increasingly urging the US leader to punish Madrid.
In remarks to lawmakers, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described the conflict as an attack on civilization, echoing scathing criticism heaped by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Trump's decision to attack the Islamic Republic.
"We're facing the greatest assault on the civilization built upon the humanist ideals of reason, peace, understanding, and universal law over the abuse of power, brute force, and arbitrariness," Albares said.
"The prophets of war and violence seek to return to the values and practices of history's darkest moments," he added, accusing Israel of violating international law and the newly brokered two-week ceasefire after a massive wave of airstrikes across Lebanon killed more than 250 people on Wednesday.
Sanchez, who has emerged as a leading opponent of the war, has closed Spanish airspace to any aircraft involved in a confrontation he has described as reckless and illegal.
On Wednesday night, Sanchez reiterated his call for the European Union to scuttle its association agreement with Israel, urging an end to "impunity for (Israel's) criminal actions."
In a post on X, Sanchez said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "contempt for life and international law is intolerable."
Also on Wednesday, Spain and Italy both summoned Israeli envoys in protest at separate incidents involving UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Madrid said a Spanish UNIFIL member had been unjustly detained by the Israeli army.
US-NATO tensions strained over Trump demands
Spanish ties with the US took a hit last year when Madrid rejected Trump's demand that NATO allies ramp up their defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product. Madrid's stance led Trump to threaten to cut off all trade.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said in March that the US should pull out from two jointly operated air bases in southern Spain and move "to a country that will allow us to use them."
Earlier this week, Albares said that Trump's public mulling over a withdrawal from the alliance was prompting European countries to consider alternative security arrangements.
In Spain, the government's position remains widely popular, as polls show an overwhelming majority rejects the war. According to recent surveys, Sanchez's Socialist Party has gained voter support while far-right Vox, which backed the US and Israel, has seen a decline.
While Sanchez has welcomed the Pakistani-brokered ceasefire, he also said Spain would "not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they turn up with a bucket," in reference to the US administration.
Albares announced earlier on Thursday that Spain would reopen its embassy in Tehran in hopes of achieving peace in the region.
But his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa'ar, called the move "an eternal disgrace," accusing Spain of going hand-in-hand with what he termed Iran's terror regime.
Austria demands Israel stop Lebanon attacks
Austria's foreign ministry on Thursday called on Israel to stop attacking civilian targets in Lebanon, and said the Austrian members of a UN peacekeeping force there must be protected.
Austria has in recent years been one of Israel's staunchest political supporters in the European Union.
"Israel must immediately stop its military operations against civilian targets and infrastructure in Lebanon," the ministry said in response to a question from Reuters.
Israel on Wednesday conducted its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since the conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah flared up again last month, even as France, Britain, and the EU said a two-week truce between Iran and the US should also cover Lebanon.
Neutral Austria contributes about 160 soldiers to a 7,500-strong UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). They belong to a unit that performs tasks such as transporting goods and personnel, repairing vehicles, supplying fuel, and firefighting.
The ministry said it was extremely concerned about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and "the humanitarian catastrophe, with more than one million displaced people."
"The protection of the civilian population and of the Austrian UNIFIL contingent is our top priority," it added.
Instead of calling for the US-Iran ceasefire to be extended to Lebanon, it said a way back must be found to a November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.