Overview
- Lamine Yamal, who waved a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s title parade on Monday, drew a Thursday rebuke from Israel’s defense minister accusing him of inciting hate and urging FC Barcelona to disown the gesture.
- Hours later, Spain’s prime minister said he was proud of Yamal and argued that waving a national flag does not amount to a call to hatred.
- FC Barcelona has not issued a formal condemnation, and coach Hansi Flick said he dislikes politics in football but described the display as the player’s own decision.
- The image spread after Yamal posted it on Instagram, and it drew contrasting reactions that included Gaza murals honoring him and Israeli videos of fans cutting his shirts.
- The dispute plays into already strained Spain–Israel relations and could follow Yamal into the 2026 World Cup, where his high profile may draw added scrutiny.