Israeli minister condemns Yamal over Palestinian flag display

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, criticized Barcelona player Lamine Yamal after the teenager waved a Palestinian flag during the club’s Spanish league title celebrations. Writing on X on Thursday, Katz accused the footballer of encouraging hatred against Israel while Israeli soldiers continue military operations against Hamas.

In his statement, the minister referred to the Hamas attack carried out on Oct. 7, 2023, mentioning killings, sexual violence, and attacks against Jewish civilians. Katz connected those events directly to his criticism of the Barcelona winger’s actions during the public celebrations earlier this week.

Yamal, who is 18 years old and Muslim, carried a large Palestinian flag while standing on an open-top bus during Barcelona’s victory parade through the city on Monday.

Huge crowds attend title parade

Barcelona’s celebrations followed the club securing the Spanish league title the previous day. According to local authorities, around 750,000 people gathered in the city to take part in the festivities as the team traveled through the streets.

Photographs of Yamal holding the Palestinian flag were later shared by the player himself on his Instagram account, further increasing attention around the moment.

The incident quickly became part of a broader political discussion because of Spain’s public criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas surprise attack in 2023.

Spanish government backs the player

Spain’s government, along with much of the country’s population, has strongly opposed Israel’s actions in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, according to the article.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who had previously argued that Israel should be excluded from sporting events because of the situation in Gaza, defended Yamal on social media after the criticism directed at the Barcelona player.