Pedro Sánchez Defends Lamine Yamal After Israel Condemns Palestinian Flag Gesture
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly defended FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal following a harsh diplomatic backlash from Israeli authorities. The controversy arose after the 18-year-old footballer waved a Palestinian flag during celebrations for Barcelona's La Liga title victory in May 2026. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, accused Yamal of inciting hatred and supporting terrorism while Israeli soldiers fight Hamas, urging the club to distance itself from the player's actions. In response, Sánchez posted on social media that displaying the flag of a state is not incitement, criticizing those who claim otherwise as having lost their discernment. The Spanish leader emphasized that Yamal merely expressed solidarity with Palestine, a sentiment shared by millions of Spaniards. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Spain and Israel, with Sánchez remaining one of Europe's most vocal critics of Israeli policies. The dispute occurs shortly after Spain and other EU members attempted to suspend the EU-Israel association agreement, an effort that was ultimately rejected by other European foreign ministers.
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