Sanchez comments on 'Yamal' raising the Palestinian flag: Spain recognized the Palestinian state

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez affirmed that his country's position on the Palestinian issue is firm and clear, noting that Spain had previously taken the step of officially recognizing the State of Palestine. This came during a press conference in response to questions about the rising Barcelona club talent, Lamine Yamal, raising the Palestinian flag during the Catalan team's celebrations of the La Liga title.

Sanchez explained that his country's foreign policy balances condemning violence with rejecting the ongoing war waged by the Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip. He stressed that expressing solidarity with Palestine is consistent with the diplomatic orientations recently adopted by Madrid, in reference to the political support Spain provides for Palestinian rights in international forums.

Young star Lamine Yamal, 18, sparked widespread interaction after appearing carrying the Palestinian flag on top of the open-top team bus that toured the streets of Barcelona celebrating the title, after defeating Real Madrid with two clean goals. The player was subjected to a wide campaign of criticism from Hebrew media, including Channel 12 and Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, which accused him of exploiting sports platforms to send political messages.

It is worth noting that Yamal, who is of Moroccan origin, had previously faced racist chants, and responded by affirming his pride in his Islamic religion, considering that attempts to mock beliefs reflect ignorance and racism. The statements of the Spanish Prime Minister come to provide political cover for such solidarity positions that have recently been repeated in Spanish stadiums.

Spain recognized the State of Palestine, and from the first moment we condemned the attacks, then we condemned the war being committed in the Gaza Strip.