World

Israeli defence minister accuses Barcelona footballer of ‘inciting hate’ for waving Palestine flag

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz criticised the Barcelona football player Lamine Yamal who raised a Palestinian flag during a victory parade by the team through Barcelona on Monday.

In a statement posted on X, Katz said that the 18-year-old football star was “inciting hatred” against Israel and “supporting terrorism” for waving the flag and called on FC Barcelona to distance themselves from him.

Palestinian artists paint a mural of football player Lamine Yamal on rubble of buildings destroyed during the war in Gaza City on 13 May 2026 (Omar al-Qattaa/AFP)