Israeli team’s visit evokes pro-Palestinian protest in Barcelona, elsewhere

Barcelona basketball fans have voiced their solidarity with Palestinians during their team’s EuroLeague match against Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Chants of “long live Palestine” rang through the arena on Friday, underscoring growing opposition to Israeli teams’ participation in European competitions.

The demonstration inside the arena was part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian activism sweeping across Spain.

Supporters displayed banners demanding formation of a free and independent Palestinian state, reflecting widespread public anger over the Israeli regime’s continued deadly occupation and aggression against Palestinians in violence-wracked Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank.

Maccabi Tel Aviv had insult added to injury after being beaten by the Catalan team 100-71.

Protests erupt in Spain’s Vitoria against Israeli team’s presence

Meanwhile, in the northern Spanish city of Vitoria, hundreds of demonstrators braved freezing temperatures and heavy rain to protest against Maccabi Tel Aviv’s participation in the European Basketball League.

Protesters chanted slogans denouncing Israeli aggression and held placards condemning the Israeli regime’s atrocious policies towards Palestinians.

Activists have denounced European sports organizations for "normalizing” Israeli apartheid by allowing Israeli teams to compete in international tournaments.

"Sports should not be used to whitewash war crimes," one protester told local media, calling on European basketball authorities to exclude Israeli teams from competitions until the regime complies with the international law.

Spanish officials condemn Israeli regime’s atrocities

The protests and fan demonstrations came amid mounting criticism of the regime on the part of Spanish politicians and other officials.

Several prominent figures have publicly condemned the regime’s human rights violations and called for greater accountability.

Spain’s Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belarra, recently described the Israeli regime as an "apartheid state" and called for sanctions against Tel Aviv over its egregious mistreatment of Palestinians.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging the European Union to take a stronger stance against Israeli aggression.

Several Spanish cities have also seen issuance municipal resolutions calling for a boycott of Israeli institutions, and activists have intensified calls for BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) measures against the regime.

This is not the first time that political tensions have spilled over into the world of sports. Over the years, Israeli teams have faced protests and boycotts in various European countries, particularly in Spain, where pro-Palestinian sentiment remains strong.

As demonstrations continue, the growing intersection of sports and politics highlights increasing global scrutiny of the Israeli regime’s policies.

With public pressure mounting and official criticism escalating, calls for a boycott of Israeli teams in international competitions are gaining traction too.

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