In the autumn of 2018, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who had not yet held high office, traveled to Israel. Over several days, she visited Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, Tel Aviv, and settlements in the West Bank. At that time, her name was not yet associated with major politics, but according to those close to her, this trip was key in shaping her views on the Middle East.
During the visit, Ayuso was photographed with David Elhayani, who headed the settlers’ council in the Jordan Valley and was president of the Yesha organization, which unites hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers. Elhayani is known for supporting the expansion of Israeli settlements and his close ties to Prime Minister Netanyahu. The question of how this meeting was arranged remains unanswered—representatives of the Madrid government have not commented, citing that Ayuso did not hold any official positions at the time.
It is believed that this week in Israel had a profound impact on her. After the events in Gaza in 2023, her support for Israel became even more pronounced. In December 2018, she publicly expressed her admiration for the country, and by early 2019, after becoming head of the region, she openly called herself a friend of Israel.
Around Ayuso, a circle of people has formed who are closely connected to the Jewish community of Madrid and Israeli business interests. Among them is entrepreneur David Hatchwell, who actively participates in cultural and economic projects between Spain and Israel. His influence is felt not only in business circles but also in politics: he supported Netanyahu’s campaign and was a donor. In Madrid, Hatchwell is known as someone capable of bridging business and politics, as well as a proponent of strengthening ties between the two countries.
The Madrid government emphasizes that Ayuso’s relationship with Hatchwell does not go beyond regular contacts with prominent members of society. However, ACOM, an association linked to Hatchwell, considers Ayuso the ideal leader for the People’s Party, highlighting her principled stance on issues related to Israel.
The ties between Madrid’s branch of the People’s Party and Israel have a long history, tracing back to the era of Esperanza Aguirre. Over the years, the influence of the Jewish community and business groups linked to Israel has only grown stronger. Ayuso has become the new face of this direction, consistently supporting Israel amid international disputes over the status of settlements in the West Bank, which the international community has deemed illegal since 1967.
Ultimately, Ayuso’s trip to Israel became not just a tourist experience, but a significant milestone that shaped her political identity and international priorities. Questions about the details of the visit and its impact on Madrid’s regional policy remain relevant today.
