Barcelona Mayor Denied Entry to Israel After Cutting Ties
(MENAFN) Israeli authorities blocked Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni from entering the country on Friday, following his city’s decision to sever official ties with Tel Aviv amid escalating condemnation of Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip, local outlets reported.
Citing unnamed officials, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth stated that Collboni, who had been slated to arrive Friday night, was denied entry due to recent critical remarks about Israel and the Barcelona City Council’s May resolution to cut institutional relations.
“The denial comes following several recent statements by the mayor against Israel, and after the city council passed a resolution in May to sever ties with Israel,” the paper reported.
The council’s move came in the wake of what it described as Israeli war crimes in Gaza, and followed Spain’s formal recognition of Palestinian statehood in May 2024 — a diplomatic shift that drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials.
According to Israeli media, Collboni’s planned itinerary included a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial in East Jerusalem, and meetings with Palestinian Authority representatives.
In recent months, Israel has increasingly barred entry to foreign officials and activists critical of its military campaign in Gaza or who have voiced solidarity with Palestinians.
The ongoing war, which began in October 2023, has resulted in more than 62,100 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities. The enclave faces widespread destruction and a mounting famine crisis.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also stands accused of genocide in an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
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