The decision was announced by Israel’s communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, who instructed all preparations for the country’s participation in the March 2026 event to be cancelled. The move follows remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Spanish premier Pedro Sánchez of antisemitism and of issuing a “genocidal threat” against Israel.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the boycott is a direct response to Spain’s recent actions, which Tel Aviv has described as “anti-Israeli”. These include Spain’s accusations of genocide in Gaza and its growing alignment with Palestinian causes.
The MWC is one of the world’s leading technology gatherings, attracting more than 100,000 visitors and thousands of global firms each year. Israel’s withdrawal is likely to have both diplomatic and economic repercussions, potentially affecting exhibitors, investors and bilateral relations between Barcelona and Tel Aviv.
The announcement underscores the sharp deterioration in Spain–Israel relations, which intensified after Madrid announced sanctions, including an arms embargo and bans on officials linked to the Gaza conflict.
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Source: Ara
