In a move that has ignited a fierce diplomatic and political firestorm, Barcelona's city council has voted to suspend its twin-city agreement with Tel Aviv until the cessation of Israel's military operations in Gaza.
The decision, championed by Mayor Jaume Collboni, severs a formal relationship that has been in place for nearly 25 years. It represents one of the most significant municipal-level condemnations of Israel's actions by a major European city.
A City Divided Over Foreign Policy
The council's vote was far from unanimous, exposing deep fissures within the local government. The suspension was pushed through by a coalition of left-wing parties, including the Catalan ERC party and the Comuns, who argued it was a necessary moral stance against the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
However, the move was met with staunch opposition from the conservative People's Party (PP), who condemned the decision as a misguided and damaging act of foreign policy that oversteps the council's remit.
Immediate Backlash and Accusations
The reaction was swift and severe. Israel's foreign minister accused Barcelona's council of aligning with the Hamas militant group and drawing a "moral equivalence between the Israeli democracy and the terrorist organisation".
In a retaliatory move, the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, announced he was immediately freezing all relations with the Catalan capital, a stark indication of the diplomatic damage inflicted.
The Sticking Point: The Word 'Peace'
The controversy was further fuelled by a last-minute amendment to the proposal. The original text, which called for a suspension until a "ceasefire and peace agreement" was reached, was altered. The final version demands a stop to Israel's military action but omits any direct call for Hamas to lay down its arms, a nuance that has drawn significant criticism from opponents of the motion.
This decision places Barcelona at the forefront of a growing movement of cities and local governments worldwide seeking to use their institutional weight to influence international conflicts, setting a potent precedent for municipal diplomacy.
