Concerns about antisemitism and civil unrest have been raised as a pro-Palestinian demonstration is planned for Tuesday in Madrid at the same time as a EuroLeague basketball game between Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv and Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, left-wing lawmakers in Spain have requested the government prohibit Maccabi Tel Aviv and its fans from entering the country for the match.
In November, violence erupted in Amsterdam before and after a EuroLeague soccer match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax. Dutch authorities said fans from both sides engaged in the unrest and the assaults on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans sparked outrage and were widely condemned as antisemitic.
Israel's Diaspora Affairs Ministry issued a warning Monday that a cultural event known as the "Gaza Biennale" in Madrid is part of an ongoing initiative to enhance anti-Israel sentiment disguised as activism, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The protest, organized by BDS Madrid, Bloque Bollero, and other groups, is set to start at 8 p.m. local time at Plaza Salvador Dalí, just across the street from the WiZink Center, where the game will be played.
The Diaspora Affairs Ministry said the demonstration seeks to contest what organizers labeled as "Israel's strategy of sportswashing."
"The direct association with the Maccabi Tel Aviv game aims to increase visibility and convey a strong political message against normalization," the ministry said, according to the Post.
Pablo Fernandez, the secretary of organization for Spain's far left-wing political party Podemos, and Ione Belarra, the party's general secretary, asked the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to keep the players and their fans out of the country, Spanish news outlet El Mundo reported.
Fernández justified his request for security reasons to avoid incidents with fans of the team and to prevent Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from engaging in "apology for the genocide" of the Palestinian people.
Israel's Diaspora Ministry noted the "Gaza Biennale" protest corresponds with "a rise in antisemitic rhetoric within Spain, leading to an already volatile atmosphere."
"Given the highly charged political context of this event, there exists a real threat of violence or confrontations with security personnel during or following the demonstration," the ministry said.
Also on Tuesday, a "Gaza Biennale" protest will take place in London outside the Institute of Contemporary Arts on The Mall at 6 p.m. local time. Organizers such as the Palestinian Youth Movement and Artists and Culture Workers London described this event as "a significant artistic endeavor initiated in April 2024 aimed at showcasing resistance and cultural expression," according to the Post.
The event will present work from more than 40 Palestinian artists hailing from Gaza and beyond, highlighting their views on "oppression and utilizing art as a political instrument."
"These protests are not isolated but rather part of a larger agenda aimed at delegitimizing Israel globally," ministry representatives said, according to the Post. "It's vital to distinguish between legitimate activism versus actions that incite hatred or violence."
Robust security measures are expected in Madrid and London, and the Diaspora Affairs Ministry stressed that vigilance is crucial, noting that such demonstrations commonly are catalysts for antisemitic rhetoric, posing direct threats to Jewish communities and overall public safety.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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