‘Death to Israel’ banner displayed at running of the bulls festival in Spain

The anti-Israel displays come as Spain’s government has adopted one of Europe’s most critical positions toward Israel.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

The opening of Spain’s annual running of the bulls festival in Pamplona featured anti-Israel demonstrations, continuing a pattern that has become increasingly visible at the event in recent years.

Large crowds gathered for the festival’s traditional opening ceremony, known as the chupinazo, where anti-Israel slogans were shouted moments before the ceremonial fireworks were launched over Plaza Consistorial.

Representing the group Yala Nafarroa con Palestina, Dyna Kharrat addressed the crowd with the chants, “Stop genocide” and “Free Palestine.”

A large banner reading “Death to Israel” was also displayed during this year’s festivities.

Many participants wore the festival’s traditional red handkerchiefs, some of which were printed with a map labeled “Palestine” in place of Israel.

The design resembled the inverted red triangle that has become associated with Palestinian terrorism targeting Israelis and Jews since the Oct. 7 attacks.

The anti-Israel displays come as Spain’s government has adopted one of Europe’s most critical positions toward Israel.

Under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Madrid has repeatedly criticized Israel’s military operations and has supported a series of diplomatic initiatives directed at Israel.

Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024 and backed South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The Spanish government has also imposed partial arms trade embargoes involving Israel and has urged the European Union to review its association agreement with the Jewish state.

The political climate has fueled deep domestic division. The pushback extends to the local and institutional levels, with actions such as the Barcelona City Council and local universities previously voting to sever ties with Israel.

Conversely, these measures have faced strong pushback from opposition parties like the center-right People’s Party (PP), which accuses the current coalition government of harboring radical and extreme-left ideologies.

The demonstrations at the festival reflected the broader prominence of anti-Israel activism in Spain, where criticism of Israel has increasingly appeared at public events and political gatherings.