Recently, three Israeli tourists were removed from the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid after displaying an Israeli flag while visiting. Despite the museum's policy that permits national flags as long as they are not attached to a pole, the presence of the Israeli flag and accompanying symbols, such as a Star of David necklace, caused a disturbance among other visitors. This incident highlights a contrasting approach to national symbols, as the museum reportedly did not have an issue with the Palestinian flags being present.

The museum, which is famous for housing Picasso's anti-war painting 'Guernica', has become a focal point for discussions surrounding free expression and political symbols in cultural spaces. Eyewitness accounts suggest that other visitors expressed discomfort over the Israeli symbols, leading to a decision from a museum security official to remove the elderly tourists. The incident has triggered online reactions and discussions about the broader implications of national identity in public spaces.

This incident not only raises questions about the treatment of different national symbols within museums but also reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that permeate many aspects of public life in Spain and beyond. The fact that Palestinian flags were allowed while those with Israeli symbols faced removal suggests a significant disparity in how different groups are perceived and treated in cultural environments, igniting further debate on issues of bias, tolerance, and representation in public institutions.