Israeli Defense Minister attacks Lamine Yamal and incites Barcelona against him over Palestine flag

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz launched a sharp attack on young Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, inciting against him and demanding his club take a public stance, following him raising the Palestinian flag during the Spanish League title celebrations.

In a post via Twitter, Katz accused the Spanish player of “incitement against Israel and spreading hatred,” considering his solidarity with Palestine to be “support for terrorism,” according to his claim, before calling on Barcelona to “disavow” the actions of its player and affirm that there is no place for what he described as “incitement.”

The Israeli minister’s statements came days after Lamine Yamal appeared waving the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s celebration parade in the streets of the Catalan city on an open-top bus, before posting a picture of himself with the flag on his Instagram account, which sparked wide interaction and great praise on social media platforms.

In contrast, the player received official support within Spain, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended him during a press conference on Tuesday, stressing that “Spain recognised the State of Palestine.”

Furthermore, the Palestinian Football Association sent a thank you letter to Yamal, in appreciation of his position and solidarity with the Palestinian cause, while his appearance with the Palestinian flag aroused a wide wave of anger within Israeli circles, including journalists, fans, and activists on social media platforms.

Yamal is considered one of the most prominent rising talents in world football, having won three Spanish League titles since his promotion to the Barcelona first team in 2023, an unprecedented achievement for a player his age in the history of the Catalan club.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

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