Spain PM Defends Lamine Yamal Over Waving of Palestinian Flag
Was the soccer star's move inciting hatred or a justified expression felt by millions of Spaniards?
Above: A mural depicting Lamine Yamal waving a Palestinian flag on the rubble of buildings in Gaza City on May 13. Image credit: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Yamal chose to incite hatred against Israel who, by waving the Palestinian flag, essentially pledged support for terrorism. There is no place for this kind of behavior and FC Barcelona should distance itself from these kind of actions.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Those who claim that waving a Palestinian flag is synonymous with "inciting hatred" have no shame and have lost their sense of judgement. Yamal was only expressing support for the plight of Palestinians that is shared by millions of Spaniards.
