Spanish Prime Minister Defends Lamine Yamal After Israeli Criticism Over Palestinian Flag

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez firmly defended Barcelona star Lamine Yamal following a wave of criticism launched by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz against the Spanish international player.

Yamal, 17 years old and of Moroccan descent, had raised the Palestinian flag during Barcelona's celebrations of winning the Spanish league title in the city's streets, prompting Katz to criticize him publicly.

Sánchez responded to these criticisms with a forceful tone, emphasizing that Yamal's action was nothing more than a genuine expression of the solidarity that millions of Spaniards hold toward the Palestinian people.

This exchange comes in the context of escalating diplomatic tensions between Spain and Israel, as Madrid has recently taken positions supporting the Palestinian cause at the European and international levels.