Spanish PM says “proud” of Lamine Yamal over Palestinian flag
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said Barcelona star Lamine Yamal had made Spain "proud" for waving a Palestinian flag at a victory parade that sparked ‘Israeli’ accusations of "inciting hatred".
The 18-year-old forward drew attention for brandishing a Palestinian flag during an open-top bus parade through Barcelona on Monday as the Catalan giants celebrated their second straight La Liga title.
Quienes consideran que ondear la bandera de un Estado es “incitar al odio”, o han perdido el juicio o han sido cegados por su propia ignominia.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 14, 2026
Lamine solo ha expresado la solidaridad por Palestina que sentimos millones de españoles. Otro motivo más para estar orgullosos de él.
‘Israeli’ Defence Minister Israel Katz lashed out at the Spain star on Thursday, saying he chose to “incite hatred” against his country.
"I hope a great and respected club like Barcelona distances itself from these remarks and makes it unambiguously clear that there is no place for incitement or support for terrorism," Katz said on X in Spanish.
Sanchez, an outspoken critic of ‘Israel’ who has called its devastating two-year war against Gaza a "genocide", hit back in defence of Yamal.
"Those who think that waving the flag of a state is 'inciting hatred', they have either lost their minds or they have been blinded by their own disgrace," he wrote on X.
"Lamine just expressed the solidarity with Palestine that millions of Spaniards feel. Yet another reason to be proud of him," Sanchez added.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he "didn't like" Yamal's actions, but accepted that "if he wants to do it, it's his decision."
