Madrid, September 30, 2025 (WAL) – Spain has officially demanded the exclusion of the Israeli entity from all international sports competitions as part of what it described as a “moral response” to the violations in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that “Israel should not participate in any international championship as long as the brutality continues in Gaza,” adding that the stance aligns with what happened with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Spanish Ministry of Sports submitted an official request to the International Olympic Committee to reject the participation of the entity in any international tournaments, with Sports Minister Pilar Alegría emphasizing that Madrid wishes to resolve the matter before hosting major events such as the 2030 World Cup.

International reactions have been mixed. Some European governments expressed support for Spain’s position, while the Israeli entity described the move as “blatant hostility and anti-Semitism,” warning of its repercussions on bilateral relations.

The International Olympic Committee affirmed its commitment to the principle of sports neutrality, stressing that “sports should be a bridge for peace, not a field for political exclusion.”