• Anger in Hebrew press after Lamine Yamal raises Palestinian flag

Street celebrations erupted in Barcelona on Monday night after “Blaugrana” secured its 29th La Liga title and second consecutive championship, following a 2–0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Amid the celebrations, rising star Lamine Yamal drew major attention after a gesture in which he carried a Palestinian flag during the victory festivities, triggering immediate and mixed reactions, particularly across Hebrew-language media outlets that sharply criticized the moment.

The Hebrew website “Walla” said Yamal had made a mistake in how he expressed his joy, claiming the incident would damage a significant part of his popularity and admiration among audiences in Tel Aviv.

The outlet argued that such actions negatively affect the image of the young player among regional fans who had been closely following his rise at the Catalan club.

In a similar tone, i24NEWS questioned Barcelona’s management stance on the incident and whether the club might consider disciplinary action against the player.

The channel focused on concerns about introducing political symbols into sporting events, arguing that Yamal’s act goes against efforts to separate sports from international political conflicts.

Meanwhile, the newspaper Haaretz offered a more analytical perspective, publishing a broader discussion on the ideological leanings of young athletes, particularly those of Arab and Muslim backgrounds.

It explored the extent of their sympathy for the Palestinian cause as part of identity, while also raising questions about adherence to “fair play” principles that are expected to keep politics out of sport, warning against turning stadiums into platforms for political expression.