Israeli Defense Minister attacks Lamine Yamal after his support for Palestine during Barça’s coronation

ByMuhammad

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday accused FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal of “inciting hatred” after the player waved a Palestinian flag during the parade celebrating Barca’s Spanish title. Aged 18, Yamal was seen on Monday on the Catalan club bus with a large Palestinian flag in front of hundreds of thousands of supporters gathered in the streets of Barcelona. The young Spanish international then shared several photos from the scene on Instagram. On the X network, Israel Katz strongly criticized the player’s gesture, saying that it “incited hatred against Israel” (see tweet below).

The case comes amid growing international tensions over the genocide in Gaza. In Spain, as in many countries, criticism of the Israeli bombings and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave is increasing, including in the world of sport and culture. Lamine Yamal’s gesture was widely praised on social media, with many seeing it as a message of solidarity with Palestinian civilians. The particularly delusional reaction of the Israeli minister also reflects Israel’s growing concern about the growing support for the Palestinian cause among world-famous personalities. In recent months, more and more athletes, artists, actors and singers have publicly denounced the genocide in Gaza, accentuating Israel’s media and diplomatic isolation on the international scene.

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has become a global football icon, followed by millions of young people around the world. Its displayed support for Palestine therefore represents a strong symbol, at a time when Israel is facing increasingly visible international protest.

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Muhammad

Muhammad is a visionary thinker and passionate writer who has been contributing to Understanding Islam for several years.