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Spanish PM calls for Israel's ban from sporting events over Gaza genocide

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 19:52 GMT by Al Jazeera English
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Spanish Prime Minister Urges Sporting Boycott of Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

In a blistering statement delivered in Madrid on Friday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that Spain would call for a ban on Israeli participation in all major international sporting events until Israel halts what the Spanish government deems “genocide” in Gaza. The call follows days of escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, a surge in international criticism of Israel’s military campaign, and a growing movement within the sporting world to use the global stage as a platform for protest.

A Call for an Immediate Sporting Boycott

Sánchez’s remarks came during a press conference at the Spanish Sports Ministry, where he said: “We cannot, and we will not, allow athletes from a state that has committed acts of genocide to compete on the world’s biggest stages.” The Spanish prime minister urged the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, the International Cricket Council, and all other major sports governing bodies to impose a ban on Israeli teams and athletes. He added that “sport is not a shield for war; it is a tool for peace.”

The PM’s remarks were amplified by the Spanish Sports Federation, which announced that it would suspend any Spanish clubs that allowed Israeli players to join them, and that it would file an official complaint with the IOC. In a statement, the federation’s president, María Pérez, said, “The principle of human dignity must override any commercial or sporting interests. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Context: The Gaza War and International Condemnation

Since October 7, when the Hamas militants carried out a large-scale attack on Israel, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a brutal crackdown. The United Nations has already described Israel’s operations as “potential war crimes” and “possible crimes against humanity.” The Spanish government has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli actions, with Sánchez referring to the violence as “a humanitarian disaster and a clear violation of international law.”

In the days preceding the call, the European Union released a joint statement calling for a ceasefire and urging all member states to consider imposing sanctions on Israel. Spain, along with the UK and France, was among the most vocal, pushing for an immediate halt to Israeli airstrikes and a humanitarian corridor into Gaza.

Reactions from the International Sporting Community

The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Committee was briefed on the Spanish government’s demand, but its president, Thomas Zemzow, said the IOC could not act unilaterally without a clear legal basis. “Sport and politics are interlinked, but the IOC’s Charter obliges us to remain neutral. Any decision on participation must follow the rules of the relevant sports federations.”

FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, stated that the governing body would review the Spanish request but emphasized that “any ban would need to be justified by evidence that the Israeli teams or federations were directly involved in the conflict.” UEFA’s executive committee, meanwhile, confirmed that it was monitoring the situation closely and that “the well-being of all players, regardless of nationality, is a priority.”

On the sidelines of the press conference, the Israeli Olympic Committee’s chief, Lior Sharon, condemned Sánchez’s remarks as “politically motivated and disingenuous.” He added that “Israel has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1952 and will continue to do so in the future.”

Spain’s Wider Political Strategy

The call for a sporting boycott fits into Spain’s broader stance on the Gaza conflict, which includes a call for sanctions and a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting. The Spanish government’s “Sanchez Plan” seeks to mobilize the European Union and the United Nations to pressure Israel to withdraw from Gaza and to open a corridor for aid.

In addition to the sporting angle, Sánchez also urged the European Council to adopt a new resolution condemning the conflict. “This is not only about sports; it is about human rights, about dignity, about our European values,” he said.

The Spanish Prime Minister also announced that Spain would provide emergency humanitarian aid to Gaza through a new bilateral agreement with the Palestinian Authority. “Our humanitarian agencies are already on the ground, and we will keep providing support until the crisis is over,” said Sánchez.

International Support and Opposition

The call for a sporting boycott has received backing from several European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the move “necessary and morally imperative.” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that “sport should never serve as a tool for war” and promised France would lobby the IOC to support the Spanish request.

However, the move has also faced criticism from several quarters. The Israeli government’s spokesperson, Yair Berman, said that banning athletes “does not help anyone” and that “the Israeli people also suffer from the war.” In the United States, the White House released a statement that “the U.S. remains committed to Israel’s right to self‑defence and to a comprehensive solution to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has yet to respond to Spain’s call, but its legal team has indicated that a ban would require evidence that Israeli athletes have been involved in doping violations or war crimes.

Conclusion

Pedro Sánchez’s call for a sporting boycott of Israel represents a significant escalation in the use of sports as a political instrument. By aligning the Spanish government’s stance with that of major sporting bodies, Sánchez hopes to amplify pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign in Gaza. Whether the boycott will materialize remains uncertain, but it has already set in motion a debate that could redefine the relationship between international sport and geopolitics.

As the world watches the unfolding crisis in Gaza, the question remains whether the sporting community can play a decisive role in restoring peace and ensuring that the “global village” of athletes and fans no longer becomes a platform for a nation’s alleged genocide. The Spanish Prime Minister’s call for a boycott, while controversial, may serve as a catalyst for a broader conversation about the responsibility of international sports in the face of human rights violations.