The embattled Mayor of Barcelona whose party, Barcelona en Comú, is facing an election this coming Spring has bowed to the growing Muslim minority and far-left activists with the hope that those votes will help her party stave off defeat. Flanked by pro-Palestinian activists and speaking to what seemingly was an anti-Israel protest, Mayor Ada Colau announced that the capital city of Catalonia will sever ties with the State of Israel.
Using words that show not just a distortion of history but an ignorance of the facts, according to the mayor, the apartheid policy towards the Palestinians is the reason for the action that was made unilaterally without advice or consent from the Barcelona City Council. The press conference ended with applause from the supporters of the initiative after one of the invited speakers cheered "Long live free Palestine".
Without holding any city council vote, Barcelona announced "temporary severance" of ties with Israel due to the "Apartheid against the Palestinian people".
— Adam Albilya - אדם אלביליה (@AdamAlbilya) February 9, 2023
The Jewish Federation in Spain, on these blood-libels: The decision does not stem from the defense of peace, but Jew-hate. pic.twitter.com/LuYYYdr8OW
In addition, Colau sent an official letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explaining the unilateral step on the part of Barcelona. "I have decided to temporarily sever relations with the State of Israel and its official institutions, including the Twin Cities Alliance with the Tel Aviv Municipality, until the Israeli authorities stop the systematic violence and violation of the human rights of the Palestinian people," she wrote.
She further stated that the termination of all existing relations is temporary, and not directed against the citizens. Barcelona is a favorite amongst Israelis seeking a quick weekend getaway, and the mayor seems hopeful that her ill-informed decision and the subsequent announcement will likely not change that status. However, it is likely that many Israelis will see this as inherently antisemitic since most Israeli citizens do not view the country as an apartheid state.
2/3 and their representatives in the city council.
— Lior Haiat 🇮🇱 (@LiorHaiat) February 8, 2023
The decision gives support to extremists, terrorist organizations and anti-Semitism, and impairs the interests of the residents of Barcelona.
As published by the Hebrew language daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, the initiative to sever the twin cities' alliance with Tel Aviv was first raised a few months ago by extreme leftists and pro-Palestinian organizations in Barcelona, which were supported by Colau and her party. In about two weeks, the initiative was supposed to go to a democratic vote in the city council, but Colau decided to take matters into her own hands and not rely on democracy; Without voting, without the right to speak, without giving room for opinions on behalf of the representatives of the council's parties.
According to insiders, the wave of criticism against the initiative and the fear that the vote will end with a majority of votes in favor of preserving the twin cities' alliance with Tel Aviv, led the mayor to unilaterally sever relations not only with Tel Aviv but also with the institutions of the State of Israel.
This coming May, elections will be held for the municipality of Barcelona. The party headed by Colau is fighting for the votes of the extreme left and the Muslim community in the city, so it does not shy away from such extreme decisions like risking its important relations with Israel.
ILF Statement on #Barcelona shameful decision to cut ties with Tel Aviv. Shameful cowering to anti-Israel extremists and BDS movement, while rewarding Palestinian terror groups. pic.twitter.com/57bgTJk9sD
— The International Legal Forum - ILF (@The_ILF) February 9, 2023
The Jewish Federation in Spain said in response: "The announcement of the mayor of Barcelona does not stem from the protection of human rights or peace. This step has one name sophisticated antisemitism."
