Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.
Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image, he told elected representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party. He suggested that Israel should be treated in a manner similar to Russia due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
This stance comes amidst criticism from Israel, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeling Sánchez as a disgrace and accusing him of provoking pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, featuring an Israeli team.
Earlier, Sánchez highlighted how previous protests during the race illustrated Spain's strong stance on the Gaza issue, expressing pride in the mobilization of around 100,000 protesters against what he categorizes as genocide. Óscar López, Spain's Minister of Digital Transformation, echoed these sentiments, insisting that the situation is indeed genocide and must be recognized as such.
In a move that underscores the friction in Israel-Spain relations, Sánchez has previously advocated for Israel's exclusion from major events like the Eurovision Song Contest. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun reiterated this position, emphasizing that Spain should ensure Israel's absence from future competitions, aligning with public broadcasters from Ireland and the Netherlands, who have vowed to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates.
Tensions have escalated since late 2023, when Sánchez expressed concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza and called for severing diplomatic ties. In 2024, Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state, intensifying criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, which have led to notable civilian fatalities.
A recent poll indicated that over 82% of Spaniards believe genocide is taking place in Gaza. As international friction grows, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also suggested a suspension of trade and bilateral support with Israel, citing a man-made famine in Gaza that has resulted from ongoing restrictions on aid.
As this complex geopolitical situation unfolds, Sánchez's outspoken critiques reflect a significant shift in public discourse regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, as well as the broader implications for international sporting events.
Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image, he told elected representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party. He suggested that Israel should be treated in a manner similar to Russia due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
This stance comes amidst criticism from Israel, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeling Sánchez as a disgrace and accusing him of provoking pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, featuring an Israeli team.
Earlier, Sánchez highlighted how previous protests during the race illustrated Spain's strong stance on the Gaza issue, expressing pride in the mobilization of around 100,000 protesters against what he categorizes as genocide. Óscar López, Spain's Minister of Digital Transformation, echoed these sentiments, insisting that the situation is indeed genocide and must be recognized as such.
In a move that underscores the friction in Israel-Spain relations, Sánchez has previously advocated for Israel's exclusion from major events like the Eurovision Song Contest. Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun reiterated this position, emphasizing that Spain should ensure Israel's absence from future competitions, aligning with public broadcasters from Ireland and the Netherlands, who have vowed to boycott Eurovision if Israel participates.
Tensions have escalated since late 2023, when Sánchez expressed concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza and called for severing diplomatic ties. In 2024, Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state, intensifying criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, which have led to notable civilian fatalities.
A recent poll indicated that over 82% of Spaniards believe genocide is taking place in Gaza. As international friction grows, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also suggested a suspension of trade and bilateral support with Israel, citing a man-made famine in Gaza that has resulted from ongoing restrictions on aid.
As this complex geopolitical situation unfolds, Sánchez's outspoken critiques reflect a significant shift in public discourse regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, as well as the broader implications for international sporting events.
