Spain pursues Israeli companies over colonial tourism advertising
MADRID, Jan. 25 (YPA) – Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda announced the opening of an official investigation into suspicions that companies participating in the Israeli pavilion were offering travel packages to the occupied Palestinian Territory during Israel’s participation in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), held in Madrid from 21 to 25 January.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said it had launched the investigation to verify whether companies in the Israeli pavilion at the fair organized or promoted tourist trips to the illegally occupied Palestinian Territory.
It pointed out that Article Four of the Royal Decree approved by the Spanish government in September 2025, which includes urgent measures to confront the genocide in the Gaza Strip and support the Palestinian people, explicitly stipulates a ban on advertising goods and services originating from the occupied Palestinian Territory, affirming that there are suspicions of Israel violating this legal provision.
The ministry explained that the investigation covers allegations that some tourism companies participating in the Israeli pavilion at FITUR presented travel offers to Israeli colonies established in the occupied West Bank, which could constitute illegal advertising under applicable Spanish law.
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