Overview

• Catalan police reported at least 15 arrests in Barcelona after clashes in which officers used batons and pepper spray as fires burned and property was damaged.
• The unrest followed a 24-hour strike with demonstrations reported across roughly 40 Spanish cities that disrupted trains, buses and roads in Barcelona.
• Crowds converged near the Israeli consulate, where large bins were set alight, and some marchers vandalized multinationals accused of links to Israel, including McDonald’s, Burger King and Starbucks.
• Protesters tried to block the Hapoel Jerusalem team bus; under heavy security, Israeli club games in Spain proceeded with restrictions, with reports differing on whether Barcelona hosted fans, while Valencia’s game was played behind closed doors and five were detained.
• In a separate development, Iran’s sports minister urged Spain to lead a push to bar Israel from international competitions.