Calls for Spain to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv from competing in Madrid
2 Min Read
Ione Belarra, the leader of the Spanish opposition party Podemos, calls on Spanish supporters to demonstrate in front of the venue where the match would be hosted.
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A vehicle exits the training center of Israeli football team Maccabi Tel Aviv, on November 8, 2024 in Tel Aviv (AFP)
Ione Belarra, the leader of the Spanish opposition party Podemos, has asked for a ban on "Israel's" Maccabi Tel Aviv squad entering the country.
The Israeli club is scheduled to play Real Madrid in a EuroLeague basketball competition later on Tuesday.
Belarra stated in a letter to the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs that "the Spanish people have clearly demanded a severing of all ties with the Zionists who have committed genocide against the Palestinian people."
“Maccabi Tel Aviv and its fans are not allowed to enter Spain. We have informed the Government of this. We cannot allow the apology of genocide in our country.”
Spain’s Ione Belarra calls for a BAN on Maccabi Tel Aviv and its fans ahead of tomorrow’s game against Real Madrid:
— sarah (@sahouraxo) January 13, 2025
“Maccabi Tel Aviv and its fans are not allowed to enter Spain.”
“We cannot allow the glorification of genocide in our country.”
🇪🇸🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/odkeuEB4Eu
Belarra alluded to the security issues generated by Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters when supporters of the club stormed through the city of Amsterdam, tearing down Palestinian flags displayed on private property and chanting incendiary slogans, according to reports and footage circulated widely on social media platforms.
In this context, Belarra has called on Spanish supporters to demonstrate in front of the venue where the match would be hosted.
However, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that the Maccabi Tel Aviv squad will not be barred from entering Madrid, emphasizing that "sports should be free from politics."
