Spanish leader backs Yamal’s flag display, deepening tensions with Israel amid rising hostile rhetoric..
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez drew fresh criticism from Israel after publicly defending FC Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, who displayed a Palestine Liberation Organization flag during the club’s La Liga title celebrations.
Yamal was seen holding the flag on Monday as Barcelona players paraded through the city on an open-top bus before hundreds of thousands of fans. He later amplified the gesture by posting images with the flag on Instagram, turning a football celebration into a political message at a time when Israel is fighting Hamas terror.
Sanchez, already known for his hostile approach toward Israel, praised Yamal and claimed the player was expressing solidarity with Palestinians. His remarks immediately intensified anger in Israel, where officials view such public displays as part of a wider campaign that normalizes anti-Israel agitation while ignoring Hamas atrocities.
Defense Minister Israel Katz strongly condemned Yamal’s action, saying the player had chosen to encourage hatred against Israel while Israeli soldiers are battling Hamas, the terror group responsible for the October 7 massacre. Katz said FC Barcelona should clearly distance itself from any message that appears to legitimize incitement or support for terror-linked symbolism.
The incident comes amid worsening relations between Jerusalem and Madrid. Since the Gaza war began, Sanchez and other Spanish officials have repeatedly accused Israel of excessive force, backed punitive measures, and fueled diplomatic friction. Israel has also protested recent antisemitic displays in Spain, including the detonation of an effigy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu near Malaga.
For Israel, the Barcelona controversy is not merely about a flag. It reflects a growing European willingness to excuse anti-Israel provocation while Jewish communities face rising hostility and Israel continues defending itself against terror.
