Al-Azhar Welcomes Barcelona’s Decision to Cut Ties with Israel

Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism on Saturday welcomed a decision by the municipality of Barcelona to sever all ties with Israel, describing it as a “bold and historic stance” in protest against what it called an ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, the Observatory praised Barcelona’s suspension of its twinning agreement with Tel Aviv — originally signed in 1998 — and the city’s decision to halt cooperation with companies linked to Israel. The municipality also pledged to review existing contracts with entities potentially involved, directly or indirectly, in supporting military operations against Palestinians.

The move, Al-Azhar said, reflects “a genuine commitment to the principles of justice and human rights” and “a deep sense of human responsibility” in confronting “Zionist violations against innocent civilians in Gaza.”

The Observatory also commended the Spanish government’s broader support for the Palestinian cause and called for increased political and diplomatic pressure to isolate what it described as a “terrorist entity” responsible for “crimes unparalleled in modern history.”

Al-Azhar, the highest seat of Sunni Islamic learning, has been vocal in its condemnation of the war in Gaza and continues to advocate for international action to end the bloodshed.