Demonstration in support of Israel in the war with Gaza in Barcelona, 15 Oct. 10/Photo: Adam Jaffa
Demonstrations in support of Israel have been held for the past week in the wake of the war in Gaza in various parts of the world, but when such a demonstration is held in Barcelona, where calls for support for the Palestinians are often heard and where the BDS movement is active extensively, it has special significance.
About 500 residents, including Israelis, arrived Sunday at Plaza de Jaume in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter for a rally in support of Israel.
The participants sang Hatikvah, congratulated and continued to organize for the continuation of the city's awareness-raising activities. According to Israelis who attended the demonstration, the event was conducted in an exemplary manner and was secured by numerous police forces.
Participants sang "Hatikvah." Today's rally in Barcelona/User photos, Barak Ben Meir
Participant holding photos of abducted children in Gaza/User photos, Barak Ben Meir
Mayor cancels severance of relations with Tel Aviv
In February of this year, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau held a press conference during which she announced that the capital of Catalonia would sever ties with Tel Aviv and the Twin Cities Alliance because of what she said was Israel's apartheid policy toward the Palestinians. The Spanish government itself condemned the move, as did Barcelona's football team and its president.
It is possible that because of this, the city's largest synagogue was also vandalized on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day in April of this year, when masked men came to the synagogue and sprayed red graffiti on the walls of the synagogue. The vandals left pages in Catalan with accusations against Israel of "genocide of the Palestinian people and of committing apartheid."
However, elections were held in May of this year, and Colau lost after eight years as mayor to Jaume Colboni, who reversed his predecessor's decision and restored relations with Tel Aviv and Israel as they were before February.
Israeli flags at a demonstration today in St. Jaume Square/User Photos, Barak Ben Meir
Sign with a map of Israel at the demonstration/User photos, Barak Ben Meir
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