Spain's PM Calls for Boycott of Israeli Sports Amid Gaza Crisis

Wed Oct 22 2025 14:29:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urges the exclusion of Israel from international sports events, likening its actions in Gaza to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a bold statement, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be barred from international sports competitions due to the ongoing situation in Gaza. Emphasizing that Israel should face the same repercussions as Russia, Sánchez highlighted the need for accountability in the wake of significant protests in Spain opposing the military actions in Gaza. The sentiment is echoed by various Spanish ministers who advocate for a boycott of events like the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates, reflecting a growing dissent in international community toward Israeli policies.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.

Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image, he told elected representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party.

He said Israel should be treated in the same way as Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

On Sunday, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Spanish prime minister a disgrace and accused him of inciting pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, which caused the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, in which an Israeli team was competing.

Earlier in the day, Sánchez had said that previous protests during the three-week race had shown that Spain shines as an example, with pride on the Gaza issue.

Several Spanish government ministers also praised the final stage protest, which involved about 100,000 people, according to official figures.

It's a relief to me that thousands and thousands of people mobilise against that genocide, because it is genocide and it has no other name, said Óscar López, the minister of digital transformation.

Israel has regularly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as a means of self-defence.

Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun also stated that Israel should not take part in the next Eurovision Song Contest, repeating calls made by Sánchez earlier this year.

The public broadcasters of Ireland and the Netherlands have already indicated they will not participate if Israel is included in the contest, due to the appalling loss of lives and suffering in Gaza.

Relations between Israel and Spain have been fragile since late 2023, when Sánchez expressed concerns about civilian deaths in Gaza and some government members called for diplomatic relations to be severed.

In 2024, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state and announced measures against Israel, including an arms embargo.

A recent poll indicated that at least 82% of Spaniards believe genocide is being committed in Gaza.

As the conflict continues, discussions of humanitarian responsibilities under international law put further pressure on both Spanish and Israeli administrations.