Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel to be excluded from international sports competitions over its actions in Gaza.


Israel cannot continue to use any international platform to whitewash its image, he told elected representatives of his Socialist Workers' Party.


He said Israel should be treated in the same way as Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.


On Sunday, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Spanish prime minister a disgrace and accused him of inciting pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, which caused the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling race, in which an Israeli team was competing.


Earlier in the day, Sánchez had said that previous protests during the three-week race had shown that Spain shines as an example, with pride on the Gaza issue.


Several Spanish government ministers also praised the final stage protest, which involved about 100,000 people, according to official figures.


It's a relief to me that thousands and thousands of people mobilise against that genocide, because it is genocide and it has no other name, said Óscar López, the minister of digital transformation.


Israel has regularly denied that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and says they are justified as a means of self-defence.


Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has also echoed Sánchez's calls, insisting that Israel should not take part in the next Eurovision Song Contest, a sentiment that has garnered support from public broadcasters in Ireland and the Netherlands, who have stated they will not participate if Israel is included.


The relationship between Israel and Spain has been tenuous since late 2023, with Sánchez having expressed grave concerns regarding civilian casualties in Gaza. In 2024, Spain recognized a Palestinian state, further straining ties.


A recent poll indicated that 82% of Spaniards believe genocide is being committed in Gaza. As the situation unfolds, Sánchez's statements continue to reflect the increasing activism and public sentiment surrounding the conflict.