Latest news with #FiradeBarcelona
Leaders
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Italian Puglia Region Cuts Ties with Israel over Gaza Genocide
The government of Italy's southern Puglia region has cut relations with Israel over its genocide in Gaza, according to Al-Jazeera. Puglia Governor Michele Emiliano stated that the Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Therefore, Emiliano called for an immediate suspension of all relations with all representatives of Israeli government. Emiliano also urged 'all managers and employees of the region, its agencies and participating companies to sever all relations of any kind with the institutional representatives of the Israeli government and with all those subjects attributable to it who are not openly and declaredly motivated by the desire to organize initiatives to stop the massacre of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,' according to state-run ANSA news agency. Mounting Pressure on Israel Furthermore, Barcelona's city council voted to cut twin-city ties with Israel and suspend its friendship agreement with Tel Aviv over Israel's genocide in Gaza. 'The suffering and death in Gaza over the past year and a half, and recent attacks by the Israeli government, make any relationship unviable,' said Mayor Jaume Collboni during Friday's council session. The move seeks to cut all official relations with the Israeli government until they respect the international law and maintain fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. The city will also suspend a 1998 friendship agreement with Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Therefore, it urged the trade fair organizer Fira de Barcelona not to host any Israeli pavilions or companies which are part of the weapons trade or even profiting from the ongoing war in Gaza. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Arab Ministers Condemn Israel's Ban on West Bank Visit Israel Accepts Witkoff's New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal: Netanyahu Germany Threatens Israel with Arms Exports Halt Over Gaza Crisis Short link : Post Views: 1
Leaders
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Leaders
Barcelona Severs Twin-City Ties with Tel Aviv over Gaza War
Barcelona's city council voted to cut twin-city ties with Israel and suspend its friendship agreement with Tel Aviv over Israel's genocide in Gaza, according to Al-Jazeera. 'The suffering and death in Gaza over the past year and a half, and recent attacks by the Israeli government, make any relationship unviable,' said Mayor Jaume Collboni during Friday's council session. The move seeks to cut all official relations with the Israeli government until they respect the international law and maintain fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. The city will also suspend a 1998 friendship agreement with Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Therefore, it urged the trade fair organizer Fira de Barcelona not to host any Israeli pavilions or companies which are part of the weapons trade or even profiting from the ongoing war in Gaza. In 2024, Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Catalonia The Government of Catalonia announced on Thursday, May 22, the immediate closure of its trade office in Tel Aviv. This remarkable move comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel's heavy airstrikes and its blockade of humanitarian aid in Gaza. The Catalan government has also criticized Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. It described it as 'double standards' in addressing the genocide in Gaza, where 'basic rights are being violated.' 'We are fully committed to human rights, and this double standard regarding Israel's participation in Eurovision weakens us,' Catalan Government Spokesperson Sílvia Paneque stated during a press conference. Spanish Government During his speech in the parliament, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Israel a 'genocidal state,' stating that Madrid 'does not do business' with such a country. The PM's remarks came as a response to a provocative comment from an anti-Israel member of parliament who condemned Spain's trade relations with what he called the 'genocide state' of Israel. Sanchez's comments sparked anger in Israel, prompting Israel's Foreign Ministry to summon the Spanish Ambassador, Ana Salomon, for a formal reprimand in Jerusalem. Since the beginning of Hamas-Israel War in Gaza in 2023, the Israeli strikes have killed more than 53,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 118,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Related Topics: Arab Ministers Condemn Israel's Ban on West Bank Visit France May Toughen Stance on Israel Over Gaza Aid Blockage Irish Politician Describes Israel's Military Campaign in Gaza as 'Barbaric' Short link : Post Views: 28
Local Spain
2 days ago
- Politics
- Local Spain
Barcelona ends 'friendship agreement' with Tel Aviv over Gaza war
The motion, supported by the governing Socialist party along with far-left and leftist pro-independence groups, calls for an end to all official relations with Israel "until respect for international law" and the "basic rights of the Palestinian people" are restored. Barcelona will also suspend a 1998 friendship agreement with Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and it urged the trade fair organiser Fira de Barcelona not to host Israeli government pavilions or companies involved in the arms trade or profiting from the conflict in Gaza. A similar recommendation was made to the Port of Barcelona. "The suffering and death in Gaza over the past year and a half, and recent attacks by the Israeli government, make any relationship unviable," Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni said during the council session. It is not the first time Barcelona has moved to suspend ties with Israel. In 2023, then-mayor Ada Colau took similar steps, which were later reversed when Collboni won local elections. While the move has little practical impact, the decision by Spain's second-largest city -- a top tourist destination and home to one of the world's best-known football clubs -- adds to a growing list of critics of Israel's devastating war in Gaza. Barcelona's move comes a year after Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state in a coordinated decision slammed by Israel. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is one of the most outspoken critics in the European Union of Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Days of Palestine
2 days ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Barcelona Freezes Friendship Agreement with Tel Aviv
DaysofPal – The Barcelona City Council voted on Friday to suspend institutional ties with the Israeli government and freeze its 1998 friendship agreement with the city of Tel Aviv, citing violations of international law and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. The motion—comprising around twenty clauses—was backed by the ruling Socialist party along with several leftist and pro-independence parties. It calls for halting all official relations with the 'current Israeli government' and formally pauses the long-standing twinning agreement with Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Socialist Mayor Jaume Collboni stated: 'The level of suffering and death witnessed in Gaza over the past year and a half, coupled with the Israeli government's repeated attacks, makes any relationship between our cities unsustainable.' The council also urged the board of Fira de Barcelona (Barcelona Exhibition Centre) not to host Israeli government pavilions or companies linked to the arms trade or sectors 'profiting from genocide, occupation, apartheid, or colonialism against the Palestinian people.' A similar recommendation is under consideration for the Port of Barcelona, calling for a ban on ships transporting weapons to Israel. This is not the first such move by Barcelona. In February 2023, then-mayor and former social activist Ada Colau suspended all ties with the Israeli government, including the sister-city agreement with Tel Aviv. That decision was reversed after Jaume Collboni won the municipal elections later that year. The latest resolution comes just days after Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine on May 28, 2024, alongside Ireland and Norway. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Benjamin Netanyahu's government within the European Union in recent months. Shortlink for this post:
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construmat Showcases the Transformation of Construction Towards Sustainability
BARCELONA, Spain, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From May 20 to 22, Construmat returns as Spain's leading trade fair for the construction industry, expanding in number of companies, international presence and scale. It will showcase technologies, systems, and materials aimed at advancing more sustainable and efficient construction models. The Fira de Barcelona event will also offer ideas and experiences to reduce the sector's environmental impact, increase digitalization, attract talent, and address the housing shortage crisis. In its 24th edition, Construmat will gather over 350 exhibitors from 22 countries in Barcelona, expecting to exceed 22,000 visitors. The fair has grown by 24% in participating companies and 15% in occupied space compared to last year. With a commercial offering focused on sustainability and efficiency improvement, Construmat presents the latest in machinery and tools, industrialized construction, walls, structures, façades and roofs, insulation, waterproofing, urban planning and outdoor spaces, design and interior design, flooring and cladding, BIM and ICT for projects and construction, kitchens, bathrooms, lighting, energy management and capture, installations, enclosures, carpentry, locksmithing, and solar protection, among others. This year, the fair has increased its international presence, with 35% of the commercial exhibition coming from outside Spain. Companies and group pavilions from France, Germany, Portugal, China, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Morocco, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Egypt, Andorra, Lithuania, Hungary, and Japan will participate. Turkey will be the guest country, with over 20 exhibitors—mainly manufacturers of construction materials and machinery. Turkey will also feature prominently in the fair's activity program, sharing success stories and participating in business meetings with a strong commercial and institutional delegation. Disruptive Startups The commercial area will also host 40 startups offering technological solutions to optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in the construction sector. Innovations include nanocoatings to enhance material functionality and durability, sensors for real-time concrete strength monitoring, and systems for infrastructure analysis using drones and 3D technology. This area will also feature talks, pitching sessions, and networking opportunities for startups to present their projects to potential investors, buyers, and partners. Congress, sessions, and workshops The fair will offer 120 activities, including the standout Sustainable Building Congress. Over 100 national and international speakers will address topics such as affordable social housing, building health and biohabitability, and practical applications of AI in architecture, construction, and public works. Keynote speakers include architects David Adjaye, Peris + Toral, Stephen Bates, and Mohammed Adib. Photo - - View original content:
