Zaragoza City Council Honors Group Linked to Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Sparks Condemnation

Zaragoza Bestows 'Favorite Daughter' Honor Amidst Controversy

The city council of Zaragoza, Spain, has ignited widespread condemnation following its decision in early October 2024 to confer the prestigious title of 'Favorite Daughter of the City' upon the House of Palestine of Aragon. The organization was founded by Ibrahim Abayat, who is identified as a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a group designated as a terrorist organization by several international entities, including the European Union and the United States.

The honor was granted as part of the festivities of Our Lady of the Pillar, just three days before the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks. During the ceremony, the Palestinian flag was displayed on the balcony of the City Hall and in the Plaza del Pilar, an act that the House of Palestine of Aragon subsequently highlighted on social media.

Links to Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and International Designation

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is a Fatah-aligned coalition of Palestinian armed groups, formed in 2000 during the Second Intifada. This group has been involved in various armed attacks on Israeli military and civilian targets and has claimed participation in the October 7, 2023, attacks. It is officially designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.

Ibrahim Abayat, the founder of the House of Palestine of Aragon in 2008, has resided in Zaragoza since that time. His legal status in Spain is reportedly in 'legal limbo' due to an existing Israeli deportation order. In interviews, Abayat has reportedly refrained from condemning Hamas terrorism, instead stating that 'the problem is not the October 7 attack, but Zionist ideology.'

City Council's Justification and Political Backlash

The Zaragoza City Council, led by left-wing mayor Natalia Chueca, justified the award by stating it aimed 'to recognize its work in communicating the situation of the Palestinian people since 2008 and working for the coexistence of our peoples, bringing their voices, experiences, testimonies, and memories to the whole of Aragon, especially to the city of Zaragoza.' The award was accepted by Palestinian activist Reema Souqy on behalf of Abayat.

However, the decision prompted immediate and strong condemnation. The populist party Vox boycotted the award ceremony, with spokesperson Julio Calvo stating that the organization was 'absolutely undeserving of this recognition' and accused the council of 'whitewashing of terrorism.' Calvo further argued that the decision violated regulations concerning distinctions and honors.

Ongoing Debate and Broader Context

The controversy surrounding the honor highlights the ongoing complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within international political discourse. The event in Zaragoza has brought to the forefront the differing perspectives on Palestinian advocacy groups and their affiliations, drawing a clear line between those who view the recognition as a humanitarian gesture and those who perceive it as an endorsement of groups linked to terrorism.