Dozens of people denounce basque institutions’ ties to Israel in Bilbao
Dozens of people gathered in Bilbao on June 17 following a call by the platform Euskal Herriak Kapitalari Planto!. Representatives of social movements, trade unions and Palestinian solidarity organizations took part in the mobilization, condemning the continued relationships that the Basque Government and other public institutions maintain with Israeli entities and companies despite the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
During the demonstration, the platform presented a report documenting various forms of cooperation between public institutions in the Basque Autonomous Community and Israeli organizations. According to the report, several public bodies are involved in joint projects with Israeli universities, technology centers and companies in strategic sectors such as innovation, energy, healthcare, digitalization and technological development.
Participants argued that, in light of the military offensive in Gaza and the human rights violations denounced by numerous international organizations, it is unacceptable for Basque institutions to continue maintaining these relationships. They therefore called on public authorities to assume their political and economic responsibility and sever all ties with Israeli institutions and companies.
Public Procurement and Institutional Cooperation
Among the issues highlighted were public contracts and cooperation agreements involving Israeli companies and organizations in areas such as healthcare, security, justice and cybersecurity. According to the platform, these relationships contribute to normalizing and sustaining a system of occupation and colonization that systematically violates the rights of the Palestinian people.
The demonstrators also denounced the continued purchase of products and services linked to Israeli companies by public administrations, despite repeated calls from trade unions and social organizations for ethical procurement policies.
Speakers at the rally argued that public institutions should review all existing contracts and agreements and establish criteria that prevent collaboration with companies involved, directly or indirectly, in the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Responsibility of Basque Companies
The demonstration also drew attention to the activities of certain Basque companies operating in Israel or participating in projects developed in occupied territories. According to the organizers, these activities raise serious ethical concerns and have become the subject of growing public debate.
The platform maintained that economic interests cannot be placed above human rights and called on Basque companies to end any activities that may contribute to the occupation or colonization of Palestinian land.
A Call to End All Ties
The mobilization concluded with a call on the Basque Government, provincial councils and other public institutions to terminate cooperation agreements, public contracts and commercial relations with Israeli entities.
The organizers also demanded full transparency regarding existing links and called for the publication of all information relating to agreements, projects and contracts involving Israeli organizations.
According to Euskal Herriak Kapitalari Planto!, solidarity with Palestine must go beyond institutional declarations and be translated into concrete political and economic measures. The platform announced that it will continue organizing mobilizations and awareness campaigns until Basque institutions end all forms of complicity with the State of Israel and take effective steps in defense of Palestinian rights.