By David Latona and Emma Pinedo
MADRID, April 9 (Reuters) - Spain decried Israeli strikes on Lebanon as well as the broader war on Iran on Thursday, cementing Madrid's role as an outspoken critic of the U.S. and Israeli military campaigns despite U.S. threats to punish uncooperative NATO allies.
Spain's opposition to the Iran conflict has further strained its relations with Washington, and figures within President Donald Trump's MAGA movement are increasingly urging the U.S. 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 civilisation built upon the humanist ideals of reason, peace, understanding and universal law over the abuse of power, brute force and arbitrariness," Albares said.
He accused 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, he reiterated his call for the European Union to scuttle its association agreement with Israel, urging an end to "impunity for (Israel's) criminal actions".
FUTURE OF AIR BASES
In a post on X, Sanchez said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "contempt for life and international law is intolerable".
Sanchez has welcomed the Pakistani-brokered ceasefire, but said Spain would "not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they turn up with a bucket," in reference to the U.S. administration.
Also on Wednesday, Spain and Italy both summoned Israeli envoys in protest at separate incidents involving U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon. Madrid said a Spanish UNIFIL member had been unjustly detained by the Israeli army.
Spanish ties with the U.S. took a hit last year when Madrid rejected Trump's demand that NATO allies ramp up their defence 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 the U.S. 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 Trump publicly mulling a withdrawal from the alliance was prompting European countries to consider alternative security arrangements.
HOPES FOR PEACE
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 U.S. and Israel, has seen a decline.
In European capitals, however, his approach has been met with some derision.
"I never agree with Sanchez because he has a vision of the world that is the opposite of mine. He says one thing and then does another," said Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the far-right League party, when asked at a press conference on Wednesday about Sanchez's condemnation of the war in Iran.
German officials told Reuters they viewed Sanchez's confrontational stance as aimed at a domestic audience and unconstructive for preserving NATO unity. Germany has been openly critical of Spain's refusal to increase its defence spending in line with other members of the alliance.
Among the conservative-led German government's Social Democrat coalition partners there is more sympathy.
"Sanchez expresses things about the U.S. policy we would like to say as well," one lawmaker said.
Jimena Blanco, chief analyst for risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said Sanchez saw himself as a standard bearer among dwindling leftist leaders in the West.
"My sense is he is trying to create unity by not allowing NATO partners in Europe to be pushed around or engage in a conflict that is not conducive to NATO's interests," she said.
Spain's foreign ministry said in a statement that Spain and Europe and the U.S. were natural allies and Spain was determined to maintain its long relationship with the U.S. based on dialogue, mutual respect and mutual benefit.
"Spain is a responsible ally and committed to NATO, European and Transatlantic security," it added.
(Reporting by David Latona and Emma Pinedo; Additional reporting by Aislinn Laing, Andreas Rinke, James Mackenzie and Giselda Vagnoni, Editing by Andrei Khalip, William Maclean and Nia Williams)
