Many Western officials, activists denied entry to country over criticizing Israeli atrocities against civilians in Gaza Strip
The mayor of Barcelona was denied entry to Israel ahead of a planned visit, after the Spanish city’s decision to cut ties with Tel Aviv over Israel's genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, local media said on Friday.
According to the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Interior Ministry announced that Mayor Jaume Collboni, who had been scheduled to arrive in Israel Friday night, was barred from entry.
“The denial comes following several recent statements by the mayor against Israel, and after the city council passed a resolution in May to sever ties with Israel,” the daily said.
The city council’s decision came in response to Israeli war crimes committed against civilians in the Gaza Strip, a year after Spain's recognition of the Palestinian state in May 2024.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, Collboni was set to visit Yad Vashem, a museum in East Jerusalem, and meet the officials from the Palestinian Authority.
In recent months, Israel has banned the entry of many Western officials and activists showing solidarity with Palestinians and criticizing Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has killed more than 62,100 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
