Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has voiced his support for Lamine Yamal after the young Barcelona player faced accusations of inciting hatred against Jewish people from the Israeli Government. The controversy arose when Yamal was seen waving the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s La Liga trophy parade.
The 18-year-old footballer displayed the Palestinian flag from Barcelona’s open-top bus as it paraded through the city. This act drew criticism, including from Hansi Flick, but significantly harsher condemnation from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz alleged that Yamal had intentionally incited hatred towards Israel and Jewish people by showing support for what he termed a terrorist organization.
Spanish Prime Minister Responds to Israeli Criticism
In response to Katz’s social media statement, Prime Minister Sanchez took to Twitter/X to defend the Spanish international. Sanchez, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing them of human rights violations, stated:
“Those who consider waving the flag of a State to be ‘inciting hatred’ have either lost their judgment or been blinded by their own disgrace. Lamine has only expressed the solidarity with Palestine felt by millions of Spaniards. Another reason to be proud of him.”
Palestinian Artists Show Support for Lamine Yamal
Meanwhile, in Palestine, Lamine Yamal’s gesture of solidarity has been met with celebration. Reports and footage highlight a mural created in Palestine depicting Yamal waving the Palestinian flag. An artist was also seen painting Yamal with the flag on a concrete block.
The Israeli Defense Minister had urged Barcelona to distance themselves from Yamal’s actions. To date, the club has not issued any comment or reaction to the incident. It is worth noting that several pro-Catalan independence flags, known as *Estelades*, were also visible on the bus during the parade.