Lawsuit to cancel Mayor of Barcelona's anti-Israel boycott

In April 2023, The Lawfare Project, in collaboration with Ignacio Palacios of The Legal Council in Spain, filed a lawsuit against the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, for unlawfully suspending relations with Israel, including a sister-city agreement with Tel Aviv. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Barcelona Institute for Dialogue with Israel, a local charity, argued that Colau had exceeded her authority by infringing on the Spanish government's prerogative to conduct foreign policy and violated established legal procedures.

The legal challenge specifically targeted Colau's February 8, 2023, decision to sever ties with Israel and all its institutions. The lawsuit contended that such a move was not only illegal but also discriminatory, as it violated Spain’s obligations under international law and undermined the spirit of cooperation between Barcelona and Israel.

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Colau was voted out of office. In September 2023, her successor, Mayor Jaume Collboni, reinstated relations with Israel, reversing Colau's anti-Israel boycott and bringing an end to the illegal suspension of ties. The reinstatement marked a significant victory for the rule of law and for efforts to combat institutionalized discrimination against Israel.