Spanish handball players’ protest sparks outrage in Israel

The Spanish women’s national handball team players have sparked widespread anger in Israel after appearing on the court wearing pro-Palestinian symbols and messages on their shoes during a European Championship qualifier against Israel in Granada, Spain.

Protest on the court

Reuters reported that the Spanish players entered the court with symbols and messages supporting Palestine on their shoes, including the phrase ‘From the River to the Sea.’ The move surprised the sporting world and provoked angry reactions in Israel, with the newspaper Israel Hayom describing it as a clear political protest within an official sporting event.

This incident comes amid escalating tensions between Spain and Israel since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip in October 2013. Madrid has adopted a critical stance towards Israeli military operations, describing them as violations of international law, which has negatively impacted relations between the two countries.

Spanish government moves against Israel

In May 2024, Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine – a move that angered Tel Aviv. The crisis escalated in 2025 with a series of measures including an arms embargo, a ban on military shipments transiting its territory, restrictions on dealings with settlements, and the recall of its ambassador from Tel Aviv.

Tensions intensified further in 2026 as Spain opposed a war against Iran and refused to support US-Israeli operations, permanently withdrawing its ambassador. The crisis reached an unprecedented level when Israel accused Madrid of waging a ‘diplomatic war’ and excluded it from coordination mechanisms related to the Gaza Strip.

Other steps, including the reopening of the Spanish embassy in Iran and calls within the European Union for action against Israel, contributed to deepening the political rift between the two sides, amidst a continuous exchange of criticism and escalating diplomatic tensions.