Rep. Carlos A. Giménez (R-Fla.) has stepped down as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus, citing the Spanish government’s increasingly critical stance toward Israel amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Giménez announced his decision, describing it as reluctant but necessary given Spain’s policies. The Florida Republican, a Cuban-American lawmaker with a long record of strengthening U.S.-Spain ties, emphasized the historical, cultural, and economic bonds between the two nations, particularly with South Florida’s communities.
“I did not make this decision lightly,” Giménez wrote. “As a proud Cuban-American and a steadfast defender of democracy, international security, and the U.S. alliance network, I have spent much of my career working to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Spain.”
Giménez accused the Sánchez government of escalating a “hostile crusade” against Israel as it confronts threats from Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and other terrorist organizations. He argued that Spain has moved beyond legitimate policy differences into rhetoric that enables antisemitism, including a reported prohibition on entry for Israel Defense Forces members and certain Israeli officials.
“To bar the brave men and women of the IDF … while your political apparatus simultaneously legitimizes terrorist networks and accommodationist policies, is a betrayal of Western values,” he stated.
The congressman also criticized restrictions on military cooperation with Israel, including arms embargoes and limits on defense transportation, saying such actions place Spain “firmly on the wrong side of the global fight for freedom.”
The Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus aims to bolster bilateral relations rooted in shared democratic values. Giménez contended that recent Spanish policies demonstrate the Sánchez government no longer upholds those principles.
“I remain hopeful that Spain will one day return to a foreign policy rooted in the defense of Western allies and moral clarity against terrorism,” he wrote. “Until then, I can no longer lend my name to an organization intended to celebrate bilateral friendship while your government actively works to undermine democratic principles.”
The move highlights deepening divisions among Western allies over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Spain has joined several European nations in adopting a more critical position toward Israel, citing humanitarian concerns and international law. Supporters of Sánchez’s approach maintain the policies address civilian suffering and uphold legal standards.
Giménez’s withdrawal from the bipartisan caucus underscores how the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to strain diplomatic relationships far beyond the Middle East, influencing political dynamics in Washington and European capitals.
