Across Spain, a growing wave of resistance is emerging within the sports community, with several clubs taking a stand against Israeli teams in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This movement, rooted in solidarity with Palestinians and condemnation of what many describe as Israel’s genocide in Gaza, has led to decisions ranging from denying Israeli teams access to facilities to outright calls for postponing or canceling matches. These actions reflect a broader sentiment in Spain, where public and political voices are increasingly vocal about their opposition to Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. This article explores the developments in Spanish sports clubs, the motivations behind their decisions, and the broader implications for international sports and politics.
Barcelona’s Refusal to Host Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
The controversy began gaining significant attention when Catalan radio station RAC1 reported that FC Barcelona, one of Spain’s most prominent sports institutions, declined a request from the Israeli basketball team Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to use its Blaugrana Hall facilities. The request was made in preparation for Hapoel’s EuroCup match against Baxi Manresa, scheduled for October 15 at the Nou Congost arena in Manresa, Catalonia. Barcelona’s refusal was based on concerns over “logistics and public order,” according to RAC1, signaling the sensitivity of the issue in the region.
The decision by Barcelona, a club with a global fanbase and a history of engaging with social and political issues, underscores the growing discomfort in Spain with hosting Israeli teams amid the Gaza conflict. The club’s refusal to open its doors to Hapoel was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of resistance that has emerged in Spanish sports. This move has sparked debates about the intersection of sports and politics, with some praising Barcelona for taking a stand and others arguing that sports should remain apolitical.
Baxi Manresa-Hapoel Match Declared “High Risk”
The EuroCup match between Baxi Manresa and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem has been at the center of this controversy, with Spain’s State Commission Against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sports labeling it a “high-risk” event. The commission, tasked with ensuring safety and fairness in sports, urged Baxi Manresa, as the organizing club, to implement enhanced security measures to mitigate potential disruptions. This designation reflects the heightened tensions surrounding the match, driven by widespread public outrage over Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Adding fuel to the fire, several Baxi Manresa fan groups issued a powerful statement calling for the outright suspension of the match. In their social media post, the groups expressed their belief that “basketball cannot exist in a bubble isolated from the reality that surrounds us.” They condemned the participation of an Israeli team in their stadium, arguing that it was “absolutely unacceptable” to host such a match while Israel is accused of committing genocide in Gaza. The statement emphasized the primacy of human life over sporting events, declaring, “Our message is clear and strong. Human life is far more important than any sporting event.” This sentiment resonates with a growing number of Spaniards who view sports as a platform to express solidarity with Palestinians.
Canary Islands: Calls to Postpone Laguna Tenerife-Bnei Herzliya Match
The resistance to Israeli teams is not confined to Catalonia. In the Canary Islands, a similar movement has emerged, with local authorities and civil society organizations pushing to postpone a Basketball Champions League match between Laguna Tenerife and Israel’s Bnei Herzliya, scheduled for October 14. La Laguna Mayor Luis Yeray Gutierrez has been a vocal advocate for this postponement, arguing that hosting the match would effectively “whitewash genocide through sports.” Gutierrez’s stance aligns with broader calls from unions and organizations, including the Workers’ Commissions and the Canary Islands Trade Union Federation, which have demanded that the match be canceled.
Gutierrez has framed the issue as a moral imperative, emphasizing the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He cited staggering figures, claiming that “more than 60,000 people have been killed” and that “the war in Gaza has led to the deaths of 20,000 children.” While these numbers have been debated, they reflect the deep emotional impact of the conflict on Spanish public opinion. Gutierrez argued that “strong measures must be taken against the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” positioning the postponement of the match as a symbolic act of resistance.
Bizkaia Gernika’s Bold Stand
The first Spanish club to take a definitive stand against playing Israeli teams was Bizkaia Gernika, a women’s basketball club. The club’s president, Gerardo Candina, announced that Bizkaia Gernika would not participate in either of their scheduled EuroCup matches against Israel’s Elitzur Ramla in the group stage. Candina’s decision was grounded in a clear rejection of what he described as “the brutal genocide in Gaza.” He stated, “We are completely against the brutal genocide in Gaza. I think everyone needs to accept this. We won’t be playing this game.” This move set a precedent for other clubs in Spain, amplifying the call to use sports as a platform for political and humanitarian advocacy.
Bizkaia Gernika’s decision has been hailed by some as a courageous act of solidarity, while others have criticized it as politicizing sports. The club’s refusal to play has raised questions about the potential repercussions, including penalties from international sports bodies like FIBA or EuroCup organizers. However, for Candina and his supporters, the moral imperative outweighs any potential sporting consequences.
Political Backing: Spain’s Prime Minister Weighs In
The actions of Spanish sports clubs are occurring against the backdrop of strong political rhetoric. On September 15, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for Israel to be banned from all international sports competitions, drawing a parallel to the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Sanchez’s statement reflects Spain’s increasingly critical stance toward Israel, particularly in light of the Gaza conflict. By invoking the precedent of Russia, Sanchez argued that Israel’s actions warrant similar exclusion from global sports, a position that has resonated with many in Spain but drawn criticism from others who argue for the separation of sports and politics.
Sanchez’s call has emboldened clubs and fan groups to take action, framing their decisions within a broader movement for accountability and justice. The comparison to Russia’s exclusion from international sports has also sparked debates about consistency in how global sports bodies address geopolitical conflicts. While Russia faced swift bans from organizations like FIFA and UEFA, the response to Israel has been more varied, with some arguing that the situations are not directly comparable.
Broader Implications for Sports and Politics
The growing resistance in Spanish sports clubs highlights the complex interplay between sports, politics, and human rights. For many in Spain, the Gaza conflict is not a distant issue but a humanitarian crisis that demands action, even in the realm of sports. The decisions by Barcelona, Baxi Manresa, Laguna Tenerife, and Bizkaia Gernika reflect a broader trend of using sports as a platform for political expression, a practice that has historical precedents but remains contentious.
Critics argue that sports should remain a neutral space, free from the divisiveness of political conflicts. They warn that boycotts or refusals to play could set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to retaliatory actions or further politicization of sports. Supporters, however, contend that silence in the face of alleged atrocities is complicity, and that sports clubs have a moral obligation to take a stand. This debate is unlikely to be resolved soon, as the actions of Spanish clubs may inspire similar movements in other countries.
Challenges Ahead
The decisions by Spanish clubs raise practical and ethical challenges. For instance, clubs like Bizkaia Gernika risk sanctions or fines from international sports bodies for refusing to play scheduled matches. Additionally, the “high-risk” designation for the Baxi Manresa-Hapoel match underscores the potential for unrest, requiring clubs to balance safety concerns with their desire to make a political statement. The involvement of fan groups, unions, and local authorities further complicates the situation, as their demands add pressure on clubs to take action.
Moreover, the broader call for Israel’s exclusion from international sports, as articulated by Prime Minister Sanchez, faces significant hurdles. Unlike the case of Russia, which saw widespread consensus among Western nations, the response to Israel’s actions is more polarized, with some countries and organizations hesitant to impose sanctions. This lack of consensus could limit the impact of Spain’s efforts on the global stage.
Conclusion
The resistance by Spanish sports clubs to hosting Israeli teams is a powerful example of how sports can become a battleground for political and humanitarian causes. From Barcelona’s refusal to provide facilities to Bizkaia Gernika’s outright boycott, these actions reflect a growing sentiment in Spain that sports cannot remain detached from the realities of conflict and suffering. As the Gaza conflict continues to provoke outrage, the decisions of Spanish clubs may inspire others to take similar stands, raising important questions about the role of sports in addressing global injustices. Whether these actions will lead to meaningful change or further polarize the sports world remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly mark a significant moment in the intersection of sports and politics.
