Latest news with #GovernmentofCatalonia
Leaders
4 days 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
Leaders
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Catalonia Closes its Trade Office in Tel Aviv over Gaza Genocide
The Government of Catalonia announced on Thursday, May 22, the immediate closure of its trade office in Tel Aviv over Israel's genocide in Gaza, according to Aljazeera. Wide International Criticism This remarkable move comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel's heavy airstrikes and its blockade of humanitarian aid in Gaza. These genocidal actions have caused widespread calls across Europe to press on Israel to end the war and allow the entry of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians who are suffering unthinkable conditions. Eurovision Furthermore, 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. A Call for Exclusion In this context, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the Eurovision song contest should exclude Israel over its war in Gaza. Sanchez has also expressed solidarity with 'the people of Palestine who are experiencing the injustice of war and bombardment.' Sanchez's remarks come after protests against Israeli participation marked last weekend's extravaganza in Switzerland. Russians have not been allowed to take part in the competition because of Russia's invasion on Ukraine. 'Therefore, Israel shouldn't either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture,' Sanchez said at an event in Madrid. During his speech, the Spanish PM stressed Spain's commitment to applying the international law and human rights nothing that 'Europe's should be too.' 'Genocidal State' Last week, Sanchez called Israel a 'genocidal state' during his speech in the Spanish parliament, 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 scheduled for Thursday in Jerusalem. 'Following the severe remarks made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish ambassador to Israel has been summoned for a reprimand meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem tomorrow,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Related Topics: Joint Statement: Over 70 UN Member States Call for Protecting Gazans Gaza War Prompts UK, EU Action against Israel France 'Determined' to Recognize Palestinian State, PM Says Short link : Post Views: 1
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
13 injured as car crashes into crowd at Espanyol-Barcelona match
Thirteen people were injured when a car crashed into a crowd of fans outside the derby match between Espanyol and Barcelona on Thursday. The match, in which Barcelona won the La Liga title thanks to a 2-0 victory, was delayed for several minutes in the early stages while the referee was briefed by police. Police in Barcelona said four of those injured were taken to hospital but none were said to be in a serious condition. In a statement on social media, police added that the incident did not present any danger to the crowd inside the stadium. The car's driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and causing injury. Videos posted on social media showed a car had stopped between some bins outside the stadium and was surrounded by fans. It then drove into the crowd. Local authorities said the incident occurred as Espanyol fans gathered to welcome the team's coach. Ten ambulances were sent to the scene. The most severe injury reported was a broken leg. "It was an accident, some people were injured, but not seriously. There are no major incidents to report," Salvador Illa, the president of the Government of Catalonia, who was present at the match, told Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
