Barcelona mayor Ada Colau garnered harsh criticism this week after announcing his city was suspending all ties with Israel.
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"At the request of more than 100 entities and thousands of Barcelona neighbors, I have just communicated to Netanyahu that we suspend institutional relations with the State of Israel due to the repeated violations of human rights of the Palestinian population and non-compliance with United Nations resolutions," Colau wrote on Facebook in Spanish, and on Instagram, adding that the city will maintain ties with "Israeli and Palestinian entities that continue to work for peace and against apartheid."
The decision drew accusations of antisemitism, with Lior Haiat – spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs – calling it "unfortunate" and "in complete contrast to the position of the majority of the residents of Barcelona and their representatives in the city council."
"The decision gives support to extremists, terrorist organizations and antisemitism, and impairs the interests of the residents of Barcelona," he added. "The friendship between Israel and Barcelona is long-standing, and is based on shared culture and values. Even this unfortunate decision will not damage this friendship," he said.
The European Jewish Congress too lamented the move, saying, "We're saddened and outraged by the announcement of the mayor of Barcelona to temporarily suspend relations between the Catalan capital and Israel, including the twinning agreement with Tel Aviv. The act is no doubt motivated by deep-seated anti-Israel bias."
Unsurprisingly, the move was hailed by Palestinian entities, with the Palestinian BDS National Committee calling on other countries to follow suit.
Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
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