Pedro Sánchez Defends Lamine Yamal After Israel Criticises Barcelona Star Over Palestinian Flag

Pedro Sánchez has publicly defended Lamine Yamal after the Barcelona star faced criticism from Israeli officials for waving a Palestinian flag during the club’s La Liga title celebrations.

The Spanish Prime Minister reignited tensions with Israel by backing the teenage footballer in a statement shared on social media platform X.

Sánchez wrote that anyone who believes waving “the flag of a state” amounts to incitement to hatred had “either lost their judgement or been blinded by their own ignominy”.

The comments came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz condemned Yamal’s actions, accusing the Spain international of encouraging hostility towards Israel during an ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Katz claimed the Barcelona winger had chosen to “incite against Israel and foment hatred while our soldiers are fighting the terrorist organisation Hamas”.

In a post shared on X, the Israeli minister also called on Barcelona to publicly distance themselves from the player’s actions.

“I expect a great and respected club like FC Barcelona to distance itself from these statements and make it unequivocally clear that there is no place for incitement or support for terrorism,” Katz stated.

Sánchez swiftly responded by insisting Yamal had merely expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people — a sentiment he argued is shared by many Spaniards.

“He has simply expressed the solidarity with Palestine felt by millions of Spaniards,” Sánchez said.

“That is yet another reason to be proud of him.”

The latest diplomatic disagreement comes shortly after Spain and three other European Union member states attempted to push for the suspension of the EU’s association agreement with Israel — a proposal that was ultimately rejected by other EU foreign ministers.

Sánchez has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s actions in recent months.

Speaking during a political rally in April, the Spanish leader stated that “a government that violates international law or the principles of the European Union cannot be considered a partner”.

Yamal, who recently turned 18, is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football and is expected to play a major role for Spain national football team at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.