Last April, Greece hosted an ambitious military exercise called “Iniochos 2025,” in which fighter jets from a dozen countries participated to simulate crisis scenarios “in all types of air operations.” Participating nations included Spain and Israel, despite the diplomatic tensions that characterize current relations between the two countries. This episode did not go unnoticed within the ranks of Sumar, who has accumulated several conflicts with Pedro Sánchez, her coalition partner, at the expense of the Jewish nation. In a letter addressed to the newspaper Vozpópuli, the movement founded by Yolanda Díaz denounced the normalization of relations as an “affront.”
According to official information from the Greek Air Force, the exercise took place over a period of twelve days until April 11. Andravida Air Base served as the main center for fighter jet operations.
“Throughout the Iniochos 2025 exercise, all types of air operations were conducted in a dynamic operational environment, both day and night. The entire spectrum of modern air operations was covered in complex and realistic scenarios,” the Hellenic Air Force explained.
Israel-Qatar, Israel-Spain
A dozen countries participated in the exercises. These included France with its Mirage 2000s, India with Su-30s, the Tornados from Italy, the Bell 412s from Montenegro, the F-16s from Poland, the Qatari F-15s, the Slovenian PC-9s, the United Arab Emirates with Mirage 2000-9s, the United States with F-16s, KC-46s, and KC-135s, as well as Israel with its G-550s and Spain with its F-18s.
The exercises were interpreted ambiguously, as both aspects concerned Israel’s presence. On the one hand, a military scenario was created that combined Israel and Qatar, while the events in Gaza opened up a profound rift between the two nations. On the other hand, the joint participation of Spain and Israel was interpreted as a cartel that existed despite the political tensions between the governments of Pedro Sánchez and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sumar’s Complaint
This situation did not go unnoticed in Sumar. IU spokesperson Enrique Santiago and MP Félix Alonso posed a series of questions in the Chamber of Deputies, demanding explanations from the government to which they belong.
In their letter, they stated that the “normalization of relations or military actions” such as Iniocho’s 2025 with Israel, “which ignores all United Nations resolutions and violates international law, with references to genocide,” “is an affront and casts doubt on the support of the International Criminal Courts and United Nations resolutions.”
They therefore demand that the Ministry of Defense disclose the reasons for authorizing participation in military exercises with Israel: “Will the Ministry of Defense demand that relations with Israel be suspended within the framework of NATO?” they emphasize in their parliamentary initiative. “Why doesn’t the Ministry of Defense suspend joint participation in events or maneuvers with the Israeli army, as has been done with other aggressor states?” they add.
Crisis with Israel
It should be noted that Spain’s position toward Israel is one of the issues causing the greatest tension within the coalition government. While the government of Pedro Sánchez defends the plan for international recognition of the State of Palestine and has severed relations with Netanyahu, Sumar takes an even more critical stance toward Israel. They criticize the government for continuing to sign specific arms contracts—such as the purchase of ammunition for the Guardia Civil—with companies linked to the Hebrew country.
Added to all this are the military exercises in Greece, in which the Spanish and Israeli military carried out the planned exercises to test their capabilities.
