While the mayor of Barcelona was on this shore of the Mediterranean, Ada ColauHis statement shocked many. severing relations with Israel, the rupture on the other shore went unnoticed. on the Israeli side government members They condemned Colau’s action. But above all, the Palestinians enthusiastically embraced the movement. The Israeli media, on the other hand, paid little attention to a change that the citizens did not care about. completely Tel Aviva capital no longer linked to the Catalan capital, citizens not leaving their homes bubble where are the accusations apartheid This campaign, launched by Colau and many others, doesn’t seem to fit that well.
The following was added to the rupture of relations with Israel: suspension of pairing Just like Colau did with Tel Aviv, Israel less than a year ago. St. Petersburg To protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The mayor of this other Mediterranean city, Ron Huldaihe only replied “residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo and Barcelona”. They will continue to share values. pluralism, liberalism and diversity”. “We will always welcome visitors from Barcelona and Spain. Cordially”, the press office responds to the demands of this newspaper.
“anti-Semitic, illogical and blatant”
from Israel, you don’t see Catalonia As a people friendly to the Jews. Parliament of Catalonia in June, First Chamber of the European Union While accusing the Hebrew State of “apartheid”. Still, representatives of the Israeli government did not fail to criticize Colau. “This is an unfortunate decision and basically wrong“Politics and tourism should be separated from each other,” he said. tourism minister, Chaim Katz, after asking the mayor to reverse the decision. “Internal conflict in Israel toughWe are working to cultivate an Arab society that strives to integrate into the country; The military acts with morality and wisdom, with strict adherence to human rights,” Katz justified.
Inside Ministry of Foreign Affairs related to Israelthey condemned the decision Coke He does not have the support of the majority of Barcelonans. “It gives stability extremistsorganizations terrorists and anti-Semitism and harming the interests of the people of Barcelona,” they said on his behalf, Dan IllouzKnesset member liquidPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party joined the criticism. “To sever ties with a partner country while continuing Supporting terrorism in Gaza It is hypocrisy at its most frightening,” Illouz noted. Head of the Center for Jewish Impact, Signed by Robertdescribed it as “an unreasonable and blatantly anti-Semitic decision”.
“Thanks from my heart”
to the other side green lineforeign officials Palestinian authority They welcomed the move and asked other cities to do the same. Also the mayor city of gazaHe wanted to express his “heartfelt thanks” for continuing Barcelona’s matchmaking agreement. Yahya R. Sarraj He wrote to his counterpart in Barcelona: “Your final decision to support the people of Gaza and Palestine, a strong message of solidarity and supportand we are grateful for his leadership in raising awareness of the injustices facing our people, including the ongoing system of apartheid.”
Historians from the Palestinian academy, such as the Palestinian-Lebanese Rashid Khalidi They described Colau’s gesture as “bold”. “Such measures pressure on israel for him to change his policies,” the Columbia University professor stressed to this paper. “at that time governments are afraid to position themselves For Israel, these gestures make sense,” he added. But Barcelona isn’t the only city in Spain to position itself. in 2018 Valencia became the municipality with the largest population in the world connected to the network. Israel Apartheid Empty SpacesFollowing the campaign of the Boycott, Isolation and Sanctions (BDS) movement.