Sánchez’s reckless anti-Israel stance shames Spain

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has once again crossed the line of political decency. 

On Monday, the socialist leader called for Israel and Russia to be banned from international sports competitions until what he described as “barbaric acts” end — a reckless comparison that equates a democratic state fighting terrorism with an authoritarian aggressor waging war in Ukraine.

The move exposes Sánchez’s true motives. Desperately unpopular at home, and clinging to power thanks only to the support of the far-left factions in his fragile coalition, the Spanish leader has hardened his stance toward Israel to outright hostility. Without this radical left-wing backing, Sánchez would have lost his post long ago.

While a majority of Spaniards oppose Sánchez and broadly sympathize with Israel in its war against Hamas and other terrorist organizations, the Prime Minister is playing a cynical game. 

By adopting a quasi-hateful position against Israel, Sánchez seeks to mobilize his leftist base and distract from his political weakness.

But this strategy comes at a cost. On the international stage, Sánchez’s words discredit Spain. At a time when democratic nations are uniting against extremism and terrorism, the Spanish Prime Minister chooses to target Israel — a frontline democracy under constant attack.

 Instead of defending universal values of security and self-defense, Sánchez panders to ideological dogma and cheap populism.

Sánchez’s scandalous attitude reveals not statesmanship, but opportunism. In pursuing domestic survival, he is willing to sacrifice Spain’s credibility abroad, alienate allies, and embolden those who openly support Hamas and similar extremist movements.

Spain deserves better. The international community deserves better. And Israel deserves the solidarity of democracies, not the opportunistic hostility of leaders like Pedro Sánchez.