Israel accuses Lamine Yamal of inciting hate over Palestinian flag at Barcelona parade | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, on Thursday criticised Lamine Yamal for waving a Palestinian flag during Barcelona's league title celebrations. He accused the 18-year-old of inciting hate and urged the club to distance themselves.

The player held the flag for several minutes after receiving it from a supporter during the city parade this week. He later shared the gesture on Instagram, where he has more than 42 million followers, prompting a wide reaction online.

Katz wrote in Spanish on X that Yamal had chosen to incite against Israel while Israeli soldiers fight Hamas. He described the group as responsible for massacres, rapes, burnings and killings of Jewish children, women and elderly people on 7 October.

He asked whether such messages could be considered humanitarian or moral. Katz added he would not remain silent in the face of what he called incitement against Israel and the Jewish people.

The minister called on Barcelona to disown the act and state unequivocally that there is no place for incitement or support for terrorism. The incident has generated significant discussion across social platforms.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo