Israeli Defense Minister Criticizes Yamal After He Raised the Palestinian Flag

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz criticized Spanish club Barcelona's player Lamine Yamal after images spread this week showing him waving the Palestinian flag during the team's celebrations of the Spanish league title in Barcelona city.

Katz said in a message published in Spanish on his account on the 'X' platform: 'Lamine Yamal chose to incite against Israel and spread hatred, while our soldiers fight the terrorist organization Hamas, which committed massacres, raped, burned, and killed children, women, and the elderly on October 7.'

The minister added: 'Anyone who supports such messages should ask themselves: Is this humane? Is this ethical?' He emphasized that he will not remain silent in the face of what he described as incitement against the Zionist entity and against the Jewish people.

Katz also expressed his hope that Barcelona club would disavow these events and clearly state that there is no place for incitement or supporting terrorism.

These statements came after the 18-year-old player appeared during the championship celebrations, raising the Palestinian flag briefly after it was handed to him by a fan.

The scene later spread on the player's 'Instagram' account, where he is followed by more than 42 million people, leading to widespread interaction on social media platforms.