Fuente Latina kicked-off the new year by dispatching an Israeli envoy to strengthen relations with Spain, marking the first official visit of any Israeli official to the key European country since relations soured over the Hamas war in November 2023.

Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, a native Spanish-speaker, advocated Israel’s position in over 30 interviews during her visit that was widely reported by top national news outlets.

Fuente Latina’s media tour with Fleur, who serves as Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor and Israel’s Special Envoy for Innovation, aimed to shape Spanish public opinion in support of Israel’s war against Hamas at a time when Spain’s socialist government leads European condemnation of Israel.
 
Israel-Spain relations have been strained following the Oct. 7 massacre, when remarks by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez questioning Israel’s compliance with international law in Gaza prompted Jerusalem to withdraw its ambassador in Madrid.
 
In between press interviews, Fleur met with the Deputy Mayor of Madrid, Inmaculada Sanz Otero, who expressed support for Israel and discussed twinning her city with Jerusalem.
 
However, in Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia known for its hardline stance against Israel, the city’s mayor governed by Sánchez allies, abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting with Fleur.

Read about Fleur's Barcelona incident and Fuente Latina's media tour in this Jerusalem Post article.