The Diplomat
Spain has confirmed its participation in the emergency operation activated through the European Civil Protection Mechanism (ECPM) to assist Israel in combating the forest fires ravaging several regions of the country, especially in areas near Jerusalem.
The Spanish government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced its willingness to send technical and human resources, in coordination with European and Israeli authorities, to collaborate in extinguishing the fires and protecting the civilian population.
From Brussels, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, publicly expressed her gratitude on the social media platform X for the rapid response of the Member States, including Spain, and emphasized: “The EU stands by Israel in this difficult situation. Thank you to the countries that have mobilized resources in solidarity.” The activation of the ECPM allows for the immediate mobilization of aid among member and partner countries to address large-scale natural disasters.
The Spanish offer takes on particular relevance at a time of diplomatic tension between Madrid and Tel Aviv. Recently, Pedro Sánchez’s government canceled a contract with the Israeli company IMI Systems for the purchase of munitions, citing “reasons of public interest.” The cancellation of the agreement, valued at more than six million euros, was harshly criticized by Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, which accused Spain of acting out of ideological motives.
Despite these tensions, the Spanish government has made it clear that humanitarian aid and emergency cooperation remain independent of political differences. The Spanish government spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, reiterated that “Spain will spare no effort when it comes to protecting human lives” and stressed that the activation of the European mechanism demonstrates its commitment to the values of international solidarity.
