A new political conflict has erupted in the Spanish capital. Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has found himself at the center of attention after stating during a discussion on the city’s state that what is happening in Gaza does not constitute genocide. His remarks immediately sparked a wave of criticism on social media, where users went beyond political debate and launched personal attacks, even targeting the mayor’s family.
The reaction was particularly intense on the X platform, where Almeida faced a barrage of insults and accusations within 24 hours of his speech. Some of these referred not only to his political stance but also to his personal life, including references to his recently born child. The mayor himself admitted he did not expect such a level of aggression and noted that he had never experienced this kind of pressure before.
Instead of softening his position, Almeida reaffirmed his statement, emphasizing that his opinion aligns with that of the European Union and the International Criminal Court, which also do not classify the events in Gaza as genocide. He expressed surprise that it has become impossible to openly express a differing point of view in the public sphere, even if it is based on official data.
In his further remarks, the mayor did not miss the opportunity to reproach Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who used the term “genocide” in relation to Israel. Almeida questioned whether such rhetoric might be an attempt to distract from the country’s domestic issues. He also pointed out that some of the attacks against him are fueled by political opponents, particularly members of left-wing parties who actively circulated the video of his speech.
The situation surrounding Almeida clearly demonstrated how sensitive international statements are perceived in Spain, and how quickly politicians’ personal boundaries can be crossed in the age of social media.
