Barcelona severs all ties with Israel citing human rights violations

The Barcelona City Council has voted to suspend all institutional ties with Israel, including the city's long-standing twin-city agreement with Tel Aviv, in response to Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza. 

The decision, passed during a plenary session on May 30, marks a significant political stance by the council, which is currently led by Socialist mayor Jaume Collboni, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

The motion, backed by left-wing parties including the Socialists, Comuns, and Esquerra Republicana (ERC), demands a complete halt to relations with the Israeli government and affiliated companies. It also includes a call for the Port of Barcelona to deny entry to any ships carrying weapons destined for Israel and bars the Fira de Barcelona exhibition center from hosting Israeli pavilions.

According to a joint statement by the Socialists and Comuns, the freeze on ties will remain in place “until international rights return” to the Palestinian people. 

The parties also called for “an immediate and permanent ceasefire” and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to comply with United Nations resolutions.

The council cited grave concerns over thousands of victims in Gaza, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, and the continued expansion of Israeli settlements.

The move has been welcomed by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, which praised the council’s decision as a gesture of solidarity.

By Sabina Mammadli