Press Releases

BADIL's Mobilizing Solidarity in the Basque Country

(Bethlehem, 16 March 2026)

From 5-13 March, BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refuge Rights, in partnership with Asociación Paz con Dignidad (PcD) - Observatorio de Multinacionales en América Latina (OMAL) implemented an educational and advocacy tour in the Basque Country.

The tour began with the final in-person session for the course on Palestine at the Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea – Universidad del Pais Vasco (EHU-UPV) where BADIL presented its three-tiered decolonial rights-based solution emphasizing the need to implement the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights to self-determination and return. Approximately 40 students attended the course and will receive university credit.

BADIL also meet with the solidarity and feminist movements of the Basque Country, stressing that the escalation of direct actions to end complicity with the Israeli regime by severing academic, athletic and economic relationships is required. Specifically, public talks and meetings were held with the Basque BDS movements of Bilbao (Bizkaia), Gasteiz (Araba), Donostia (Gipuzkoa), and Iruña (Nafarroa). Discussion centered on the practical measures needed to ensure the full liberation of Palestine and reparations for its people, in order to achieve return and justice.

Meetings were also held with the Diputación de Bizkaia (Provincial Government), and specifically with its Cohesion Department, and eLankidetza, the Basque Agency for Cooperation and Solidarity to discuss future partnerships and strategic priorities.

In a meeting with parliamentarians of the Basque Government, BADIL further stressed the need for practical solidarity measures and to end complicity by severing the agreement of CAF with the Israeli regime to build the light rail in Jerusalem. Additionally, BADIL called on the Basque Government to call for the boycott of Israeli athletics teams and academic institutions, and to ensure additional and more flexible funding for Palestinian organizations.

BADIL also participated in the production of a documentary film on Palestine, provided an interview to Gara newspaper (the national paper of the Basque) and contributed a sound bite to the International Woman’s Day demonstration on 8 March.

Overall, BADIL reached hundreds in its advocacy tour, with the intention of deepening its relationships with Basque civil society and solidarity movements.