Palestinians in Ramala Hail Spain's World Cup Win Amid Tragedy

In Ramala, occupied West Bank, hundreds of Palestinians gathered to watch the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, hoping for a Spanish victory as a political statement. Spain's 1-0 win, with a goal by Ferran Torres, sparked euphoria, but the celebration was cut short after news of two Palestinians killed by settlers in nearby Deir Jarir. Organizers asked for a minute of silence and continued the match without sound, ending without celebration.

Political Alignment

The event reflected deep political divisions. Many Palestinians supported Spain because of its government's criticism of Israel's Gaza offensive and its recognition of a Palestinian state on May 28, 2024. Spain's left-wing government under Pedro Sánchez has been a vocal critic of Israel. In contrast, Argentina, led by President Javier Milei, is a strong ally of Israel, with Milei calling himself 'the most Zionist president in the world.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly supported Argentina.

Mixed Reactions

While most attendees cheered for Spain, some supported Argentina out of admiration for Lionel Messi, playing his last World Cup. Organizer Ahmad Musmar estimated up to 3,000 people attended, though La Vanguardia reported over 2,000. The tragedy underscored the fragile reality: 'When people die due to the conflict, everything stops out of solidarity,' said attendee Inás Jatib, who came from Jerusalem.

Key point: The event highlighted how the World Cup final became a proxy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Spain seen as representing Palestine and Argentina representing Israel.