Verbal Sparring Between Israeli Minister and Spanish Prime Minister Over Lamín Yamal Raising the Palestinian Flag

SadaNews - Relations between Israel and Spain have once again soured following Barcelona's player Lamín Yamal raising the Palestinian flag during the celebrations for his team's victory in the Spanish League title on Monday.

The player raised the flag during the team's open-top bus parade that cruised through the streets of the Catalan capital, amid a large crowd of approximately 750,000 fans. Images and videos of Yamal waving the flag quickly spread on social media and were circulated by international media.

Close sources to the Spanish international, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to comment, informed the American newspaper "The Athletic" the day after the celebrations that the flag raising was an impulsive act.

The sources clarified that Yamal, a Muslim, has strong feelings about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and he has never hesitated to use his platform to express his beliefs.

Yamal has previously spoken in press interviews about the importance of his faith, explaining how he balances fasting during Ramadan with professional sports. In March, he strongly criticized anti-Muslim chants from Spanish fans during his team's match against Egypt.

On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant posted a message on the platform "X" in Spanish, accusing the 18-year-old player of "inciting hatred against Israel and the Jews," and calling on the club to "distance itself from the actions of its player."

Gallant wrote: "Lamín Yamal chose to incite hatred against Israel while our soldiers are fighting the terrorist group (Hamas), which committed massacres, rapes, and the burning and killing of Jewish children, women, and the elderly on October 7." He added, "Anyone who supports this type of message should ask themselves: Is this action humane? Is it moral? As the Minister of Defense of Israel, I will not remain silent in the face of incitement against Israel and the Jewish people, and I hope that a large and respected club like Barcelona will distance itself from these statements and make it clear that there is no place for incitement to terrorism or support for it."

The newspaper commented on Gallant's post, stating that he did not clarify "how Yamal incited hatred apart from waving the flag."

In response, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reacted on Thursday evening with a post on "X," confirming that "those who consider waving the flag of a state to be incitement to hatred have either lost their sanity or have been blinded by their shame."

Sánchez added: "Lamín has only expressed the solidarity with Palestine felt by millions of Spaniards. This is another reason to be proud of him."

The newspaper noted that the official account of the Palestinian mission to the United Nations posted an image of the player waving the flag, as well as the Palestinian Football Association sharing an online thank you message to him: "From Palestine... Thank you, Lamín Yamal."

The newspaper quoted a club official as saying, on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to comment, that they are "aware of the criticisms directed by the Israeli government, and they understand the accompanying sensitivities and sentiments." The club also affirmed that Yamal "did not make any political statement on behalf of the club, nor was he seeking to convey a message against any group or state or people."

It is worth mentioning that relations between Spain and Israel have witnessed sharp tensions following Madrid's condemnation of the Israeli war on Gaza, which Tel Aviv rejected.