The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement continues to gain momentum, similar to its impact during the anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa. This grassroots initiative is increasingly resonating with people around the world.
Just a week ago, we noted how Spain had joined the ranks of four EU countries—Ireland, Slovenia, and Belgium—in implementing sanctions against Israel due to its ongoing actions in Gaza. The measures include severe restrictions such as prohibiting the sale or purchase of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment with Israel, along with barring Israel-bound ships and aircraft carrying military cargo from accessing Spanish ports or airspace.
The situation has escalated rapidly in recent days. In the lead-up to the prestigious La Vuelta cycling race, thousands have protested against the inclusion of an Israeli team sponsored by Israel Premier-Tech, whose owner, Sylvan Adams, has close ties to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Activists aimed to halt the event to prevent Israel from “sportswashing” its reputation during this ongoing crisis, but their requests went unheeded. Determined to make their voices known, they disrupted the race at various points, especially in Catalonia, where cycling culture is deeply ingrained.
The true turning point came during the race’s final stage around Madrid. Despite a vast deployment of riot police, around 100,000 demonstrators managed to stop the race approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line. The mayor of Madrid and the regional president, both staunch supporters of Israel, expressed their outrage.
This moment can be seen as a significant historical event. For the first time in a long while, Israel has faced a public backlash from a Western ally. The Spanish populace has firmly declared “enough” to the relentless violence in Gaza. The sound of dissent echoed through the streets and squares of Madrid:
Ni en mis mejores sueños pensaba que iba a haber esta reacción a nivel nacional en favor de Palestina.
Pero es que, de Madrid menos aún.
Estas imágenes están dando la vuelta al mundo.
Orgullo de mi pueblo.
Gracias Madrid.
Palestina lliure 🇵🇸🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/zXpiEPVDjs— José Vico 🔻🇵🇸🇿🇦 (@josevico4) September 14, 2025
From the crowd, chants of “this is not a war, it’s genocide” reverberated:
Gracias a estas movilizaciones se está hablando de las protestas a favor de Palestina y como denuncia al GENOCIDIO.
Así que sí, son necesarias.
Gracias a la buena gente de Madrid.
Hoy no van a acabar la etapa.
Somos antisionistas.
🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸pic.twitter.com/XER8IlTaRi— José Vico 🔻🇵🇸🇿🇦 (@josevico4) September 14, 2025
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has notably commended the protesters, calling for Israel’s exclusion from all international competitions, a position unprecedented among European leaders. He has also hinted at boycotting Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, addressing the glaring disparity in the EU’s responses to international aggression.
“Why was Russia expelled after the invasion of Ukraine, but Israel is not expelled after the invasion of Gaza?”
Breaking:
After the protests at La Vuelta cycling tour, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has just declared that “Israel should be expelled from international competitions.”
It’s the first time a European leader has made such a call. pic.twitter.com/3YTAjs2tF8
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) September 15, 2025
Here’s a key clip from Sánchez’s statement:
BREAKING: SPAIN’S PM PEDRO SÁNCHEZ CALLS TO BAN ISRAEL FROM INTERNATIONAL SPORTS:
“Israel cannot use any international platform to whitewash its presence.”
“Sports organisations should consider whether it’s ethical for Israel to continue participating.” pic.twitter.com/kxEJbi67DI
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) September 15, 2025
As previously mentioned, the Spanish government has been slow to respond, but it is finally taking action—unlike some leaders elsewhere:
David Lammy and Keir Starmer are Genocide deniers who deny Genocide because the UK Government actively supports it.
Both belong in The Hague, along with their war criminal guest Israeli President Isaac Herzog pic.twitter.com/IlLVQUTSh4
— Double Down News (@DoubleDownNews) September 9, 2025
Sánchez’s position has been pushed by a surge of public opinion in Spain, where 82% of respondents labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, according to a recent survey. This climate of dissent has presented a useful political opportunity for Sánchez amidst domestic scandals and reinforces the notion that a significant segment of Spanish society strongly supports pro-Palestine initiatives.
Indeed, Sánchez has shown a remarkable ability to navigate crises. Since heading his coalition government in 2018, he has managed various challenges, including the Catalan independence movement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite delays, Sánchez emerged as one of the first EU leaders to criticize Israel’s bombings of Gaza back in November 2023, albeit not without contradictions, as his government continued arms trade with Israel during this period. Yet, growing public pressure has forced him to take actions he might have otherwise avoided. In a recent interview, former minister Irene Montero recounted how the government discouraged the use of the term “genocide” in reference to Israel’s actions early in the conflict:
“When this genocide began, Ione Belarra and I were still ministers in the Spanish government. The Socialist Party was opposed to naming it genocide and asked us not to do so. There’s a level of hypocrisy here—not wanting to name it when taking action could help stop it,” she noted. “Now that civil society is mobilizing, it has forced the government to shift its stance, at least publicly.”
The reality is that Spain, through its actions, is encouraging other nations to evaluate their own positions on Israel. Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin remarked that Spain is “saving Europe’s honour,” emphasizing that other countries should take similar stances against Israel’s aggression:
“We would like French diplomacy; we would like France to be more active… Today, who is saving Europe’s honour in this region? Spain, not France,” de Villepin stated in a recent interview.
Even Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, recently announced some EU-wide sanctions against extreme Israeli ministers, signaling that the tide may be shifting within the EU as public and legal sentiments grow stronger against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Notably, her earlier praises of Israel have come under increasing scrutiny, with accusations of complicity in war crimes emerging from multiple angles.
In a letter signed by 842 EU staffers, von der Leyen was criticized for ignoring Israel’s violations while favoring closer cooperation with Israel. Meanwhile, Spanish and Irish calls for a review of the EU’s trade agreements with Israel have not been adequately addressed, reflecting systemic issues within European policy.
Irene Montero from Spain recently confronted von der Leyen, questioning her inaction regarding Israel:
“Can you imagine Israel burning your children alive?”
Spanish MEP Irene Montero confronted the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen about her inaction against Israel. pic.twitter.com/UUhrZNhUNq
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) September 13, 2025
This rapid escalation of events in Gaza has led to grave consequences, with estimates suggesting that around 680,000 Palestinians, including 479,000 children, may have died during the conflict.
That represents 28% of the pre-Holocaust Gaza population of 2.4 million. This is far beyond the current media estimates of 62,000 deaths.
— sarah (@sahouraxo) September 13, 2025
Spain may endure backlash for its increased sanctions against Israel, with Israeli officials accusing Sánchez of being “anti-Semitic.” The fear is that other nations could follow Spain’s example, creating a ripple effect across Europe and beyond.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned recent protests as supportive of violence, linking them directly to the Spanish government, and warned of further ramifications:
“Political violence has no place in our societies,” said Saar. “Just yesterday, a pro-Palestinian mob sabotaged the La Vuelta cycling race in Spain. They did so with the support and encouragement of the Spanish government.”
As tensions continue to brew, the U.S. government has signaled its discontent with Spain’s sanctions, with claims that these measures empower groups like Hamas. Last week, the U.S. State Department expressed concerns about Spain’s actions possibly affecting American operations in the region.
Despite potential reprisals from Israel and the U.S., the grassroots uprising in Spain against the ongoing genocide serves as inspiration for others around the world. The BDS movement thrives on each new outbreak of violence in Gaza, echoing the historical precedent set during the fight against Apartheid in South Africa.
The clear lesson from history is that it is the oppressive actions of a state that ultimately fuel the success of movements like BDS. For better or for worse, the outcomes are primarily driven from the ground up.
