Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly defended Lamine Yamal after the young football star faced criticism for waving a Palestinian flag during FC Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations earlier this week. The incident sparked political debate and strong reactions from both Spanish and Israeli officials.
The 18-year-old forward attracted international attention after brandishing the Palestinian flag while celebrating Barcelona’s second consecutive La Liga title during an open-top bus parade through the streets of Barcelona on Monday. Videos and images from the celebrations quickly spread across social media platforms.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz criticized the footballer on Thursday, accusing him of choosing to “incite hatred” against Israel through his actions. His remarks came amid already strained diplomatic relations between Spain and Israel over the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Responding on social media platform X, Sanchez strongly defended the teenager’s actions and rejected accusations against him. The Spanish leader stated that waving the flag of a state should not be viewed as hatred, adding that Yamal merely expressed solidarity with Palestine, a cause supported by many people across Spain.
Yamal’s gesture has reportedly received praise in Gaza as well. According to reports, artists in a refugee camp painted a mural showing the Barcelona star waving a Palestinian flag among the rubble left behind by the war. The artwork quickly became symbolic of international solidarity with Palestinians.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick commented on the controversy by saying he personally “didn’t like” the action but respected the player’s freedom to make his own decisions. The issue has added another political dimension to sports amid growing tensions linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Relations between Spain and Israel have significantly deteriorated since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Israel previously recalled its ambassador after Spain officially recognized a Palestinian state in 2024, while Madrid later withdrew its own top envoy from Tel Aviv earlier this year.
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