In recent weeks, Spain has found itself in the spotlight due to a series of actions related to the Palestinian issue. In Bilbao, a stage of the prestigious cycling race was disrupted by activists connected to the youth wing of the Bildu party. This event was not just an expression of solidarity with Palestine, but rather part of a broader political game.
Interestingly, the first attempts to intervene in the Vuelta took place in Catalonia, where several individuals tried to block the Israeli team. However, it was in the Basque Country that the protests gained significant momentum and widespread attention. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, activists organized a maritime demonstration, sending boats with symbolic names to draw attention to the situation in Gaza. Among those seeing off the flotilla was a representative of the Basque nationalists, who emphasized that the Palestinian struggle resonates with all those striving for self-determination.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, commenting on the situation, limited himself to general remarks about the need for European consensus. However, behind these statements lies a clear strategy: to use the Palestinian agenda as a unifying factor for various leftist and protest movements. This topic is universal and emotional enough to attract a wide range of groups—from traditional left-wing supporters to independence advocates and even radicals.
At the same time, political forces like Podemos are taking advantage of the situation to pressure the government, putting forward their own demands in exchange for supporting the budget. All this activity appears well-coordinated and professionally organized: politicians pick up the slogans, and street protests become an extension of parliamentary debates. As a result, the Palestinian issue is turning into a convenient tool for mobilizing supporters and building a broad coalition around Sánchez.
Against this backdrop, sports teams are being forced to change their tactics: the Israeli team opted to compete in neutral uniforms to avoid provocation. The Vuelta has also adjusted its plans to minimize risks. Tensions are rising in Madrid: Podemos and their supporters are pushing for destabilization, while the government prefers not to intervene directly, allowing events to unfold on their own. After the tragic events of October 7 in Gaza, hopes for a swift de-escalation did not materialize, and now the Spanish political scene is becoming increasingly involved in the conflict.
