The Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has labelled the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, as “anti-Semitic” and “a liar” for calling for Israel’s expulsion from international sporting events in retaliation for the “invasion” of Gaza.
Controversial Comments
“Did Israel invade Gaza on 7 October, or was it the terrorist state of Hamas that invaded Israel and committed the worst massacre against Jews since the Holocaust?” Saar questioned in a message on social media. For the head of Israeli diplomacy, “Sánchez and his communist government are anti-Semitic and enemies of the truth.”
In recent days, the Israeli Foreign Minister has made several direct criticisms of Sánchez, accusing him on Sunday of “encouraging” pro-Palestinian protesters before the cancellation of the last stage of the Vuelta cycling race, which he deems a “shame” for Spain.
Government’s Stance
However, the Prime Minister reiterated on Monday that the Government’s position is “clear and resolute” regarding the conflict, equating the actions of Russia with those of Israel. “Until the barbarity ceases, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any more international competitions,” he asserted.
Further Criticism
Saar intensified his criticisms in a speech before a group of 250 US lawmakers during the largest visit of its kind to Israel to date. The minister denounced that “a pro-Palestinian mob sabotaged the Vuelta (…) with the support and encouragement of the Spanish Prime Minister.” “It’s almost unbelievable,” he emphasised.
“Sánchez and his communist ministers incite violence and praise those who commit it afterwards,” he added, recalling that this occurred “just days after lamenting the lack of a nuclear bomb to ‘deter Israel,'” referencing remarks made by the president during the announcement of a package of measures to halt the “genocide” in Gaza.
Threats to Representation
According to the Israeli minister, “the normalisation of political violence and this normalisation by the Spanish Prime Minister and his ministers threaten everything we represent,” and therefore, he asserted, “it must stop now.”
Agencies EP
