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 stated that Israel should be treated in the same manner as Russia due to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The controversy intensified when Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled Sánchez as a disgrace, accusing him of inciting pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid that led to the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, which included an Israeli team.
Earlier that day, Sánchez emphasized that the protests during the three-week race showcased Spain shining as an example, with pride on the Gaza issue. This large-scale demonstration, attended by roughly 100,000 people, received praise from various Spanish ministers.
Israel has often denied allegations of genocide and asserts that its actions are justified as self-defense.
Cultural discussions have emerged as well, with Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun echoing Sánchez's earlier sentiments, insisting that Israel should not participate in the next Eurovision Song Contest, a sentiment echoed by the public broadcasters of Ireland and the Netherlands, who have threatened to withdraw if Israel is included.
Relations between Spain and Israel have been strained since late 2023 following Sánchez's public concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. As the situation deteriorated, Spain joined several countries in recognizing a Palestinian state and announced an arms embargo against Israel.
Recent polls indicate that a significant majority of Spaniards believe genocide is occurring in Gaza. Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a trade suspension with Israel, discussing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel's response has been to deny allegations of famine, attributing the situation to external factors such as aid agency inefficiencies. As the humanitarian crisis escalates, calls for international action against Israel's policies signal rising tensions and growing public sentiment against the ongoing conflict.
