Madrid: The Spanish education minister and government spokeswoman expressed her country's willingness to discuss Israel's participation in sports competitions. Pilar Alegria made this statement during the Council of Ministers, referencing the exclusion of Russia from competitions and emphasizing the importance of avoiding double standards.
According to Anadolu Agency, Pilar Alegria stated that Spain, alongside other EU countries, is prepared to engage in discussions on the matter if it arises in the sports domain. She highlighted that the exclusion of Russia was a decision made by international bodies such as the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the International Sports Federations.
Alegria emphasized that any debate about Israel's participation must first be addressed by the relevant international committees and federations. Her comments followed a call from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez for Israel's exclusion from the Eurovision song contest and other international events. Sanchez drew comparisons between the international response to Russia's actions in Ukraine and stressed the importance of maintaining consistency in upholding human rights and international law.