The escalation of the conflict in Gaza has begun to have direct repercussions on the international sports arena. Pressure from political leaders, organizations, and civil society is mounting, demanding that Israel be excluded from major global competitions due to its military actions and alleged human rights violations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly called on sports federations and international institutions to take a firm stance, while several United Nations experts urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other organizations to consider suspending Israel from sporting events. 

The debate has deeply divided the world of sports. On one hand, many athletes, organizations, and supporters insist that sports should remain a neutral space, separate from political and military conflicts. On the other, a growing number of voices argue that just as Russia faced sanctions and suspensions following its invasion of Ukraine, Israel should also face consequences in the world of sports for its actions in Gaza.

Protests have intensified around major sporting events, where demonstrators have demanded the exclusion of Israeli teams and athletes. In several European cities, including Madrid and Paris, marches and gatherings have taken place outside stadiums and federations. Activists display banners with slogans calling for justice for Gaza and request immediate sanctions against Israel.

For its part, the International Olympic Committee has stated that it will not take measures against Israel for the time being, emphasizing that its role is to protect the neutrality of sports and prevent political conflicts from interfering in athletic competition. However, critics argue that such a position contradicts the measures previously taken against other countries under similar circumstances, thus fueling accusations of double standards.

Meanwhile, several federations, particularly in Middle Eastern and African countries, are considering boycotting tournaments in which Israel participates. Analysts warn that if these calls continue to grow, the integrity and unity of upcoming major international competitions could be seriously compromised.