Global News Podcast – Israel Calls Spanish PM ‘A Disgrace’ After Pro-Palestinian Protest

Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Rachel Wright, BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast covers escalating tensions between Israel and Spain following pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid, the latest on the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, US and Israeli diplomatic frictions, as well as major stories involving the killing of US activist Charlie Kirk, developments in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, abortion access at the US state border, risks to global navigation due to GPS jamming, and the passing of British boxing legend Ricky Hatton.

Main Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. Pro-Palestinian Protests Halt Spanish Vuelta Cycling Race

[00:33–07:13]

• Massive Protest: The final stage of Spain’s prestigious Vuelta cycling race in Madrid was called off after around 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters stormed key sections of the route in central Madrid.
• Cause: Widespread anger over the participation of an Israeli-based cycling team triggered mounting demonstrations over the preceding weeks.
• Escalation: Several protesters physically entered the course, causing crashes and injuries to riders, notably causing a Spaniard to withdraw after injury.
• Heavy Policing: Over 1,500 police were deployed, but the intensity and violence of the protest – especially the breaching of barricades – led officials to cancel the race.
• Political Response: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez openly praised the protesters, asserting Spain’s pride in defending “human rights” and aligning publicly with their cause.
  • Quote – Guy Hedgeko, Madrid correspondent:

    “Pedro Sanchez did actually address supporters… Spain is shining as an example and with pride... it’s taking a step forward in defense of human rights.” (05:30)

• Israeli Reaction: Israel’s Foreign Minister condemned Sanchez’s comments as “absolutely shameful,” escalating already tense relations, especially after Sanchez accused Israel of “genocide in Gaza” days earlier.

2. US-Israel Tensions Over Gaza and Qatar Strike

[07:14–13:34]

• Diplomatic Strain: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel amidst friction following an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. The US administration, including President Trump, expressed displeasure but avoided severe public criticism.
• Qatar as an Ally: US irritation centers on Qatar's status as a key Gulf ally, with high-level personal ties between Trump and Qatari leadership, making the Israeli action a diplomatic embarrassment.
  • Quote – Tom Bateman, BBC US State Department Correspondent:

    “It was extremely embarrassing for the Trump administration that they would seem not to have been able to rein in the Israelis...” (10:30)

• Outcome and Optics: Reports suggest the strike not only failed to kill Hamas leaders (pending confirmation) but triggered regional escalation and stronger condemnation from Arab and European countries.
• Israeli Offensive in Gaza: The Israeli military campaign in Gaza City continues, with at least 50 more Palestinian fatalities reported. Israeli officials say they target only Hamas-related infrastructure.
• Conditions in Gaza: Jacob Granger, emergency coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières, described dire humanitarian conditions, lack of shelter, and the near-impossible decisions faced by civilians:
  • Quote – Jacob Granger, MSF:

    “...the population has to do the choice between staying and being at risk to be hit by a strike… or to go south knowing that everything costs a lot…a small shelter made of wood and plastic sheeting would be approximately $1,000.” (13:10)

3. Political Fallout from the Killing of Charlie Kirk

[07:14–09:22]

• Incident: Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, was shot and killed in Utah.
• Investigation Update: Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox reported that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, is uncooperative, though housemates are assisting. Forensic evidence is being compiled; formal charges are impending.
• Context: Robinson had reportedly become increasingly political and hostile to Kirk’s ideology.

4. Epstein Scandal Casts Shadows Over UK and US Politics

[15:33–19:37]

• Political Consequences: UK’s Ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, was dismissed over his affiliation with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
• Epstein’s Victim Remembered: Virginia Giuffre (née Roberts), who exposed Epstein’s crimes and died by suicide in April, was honored by her brother and sister-in-law in their first British media interview. They praised her legacy and pressed for ongoing accountability.
  • Quote – Sky Roberts (Virginia’s brother):

    “She was able to take down some of the most rich and powerful men out there. We’re still grieving but we’re also so proud of what she was able to do.” (16:10)

  • Quote – Amanda Roberts:

    “He [Mandelson] should not have been given the position in the first place. It speaks to how deep the corruption is in our systems...” (18:11)

• Pressure on US Leadership: In the context of Trump’s upcoming UK visit, his ties to Epstein – including a bawdy birthday note and social association – face renewed scrutiny.

5. The State Border Battle Over Abortion in the US

[19:40–23:38]

• Legal Patchwork: Three years after Roe v. Wade was overturned, state-by-state divisions have deepened. Bristol, a city straddling Tennessee (banned) and Virginia (legal), exemplifies the tensions.
• Personal Narrative: Reporter Eve Webster interviews activists and officials, including former child anti-abortion protester “Carrie” now defending access at the local clinic.
  • Quote – Carrie:

    “As a five-year old…I was an anti-abortion protester as a child. So, I felt like that was my retribution. I wanted to give back to women that I had made feel bad, even though I was only a five-year-old.” (20:25)

• Political Fight: Anti-abortion groups attempted local ordinances to block the clinic, but state law prevailed. With the November Virginia elections looming, future access could change.

6. Risks to Global Security from GPS Jamming

[23:40–27:10]

• Recent Incident: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane was forced to land using paper maps after a suspected Russian GPS jamming attack.
• Expert Insight: David Mitlin, CEO of Kairos, highlights society’s dangerous reliance on a single point of failure (the GPS system).
  • Quote – David Mitlin:

    “It is a single point of failure for our society…GPS is required for navigation, timing, networks, and power grids.” (24:00) “You’re advertising [the GPS signal] to any adversary that wants to do some malicious harm…” (25:54)

• Broader Impact: Interference is now common in war zones and beginning to affect civilian air traffic and infrastructure.

7. Remembering Ricky Hatton: British Boxing Icon

[27:12–32:40]

• Sudden Loss: Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton, former world champion boxer, was found dead at age 46; police say no suspicious circumstances.
• Career & Character: Reporter Will Chalk recalls Hatton’s humility, devotion to Manchester, and openness about his mental health struggles.
  • Quote – Ricky Hatton (about post-retirement hardship):

    “It’s very hard for the world champion to turn around and say to anyone, I’m crying, I want to kill myself, my head’s in bits. Can you give me a hug?” (29:50)

• Tributes: Fellow boxer Amir Khan and Manchester City football club praised Hatton’s impact and kindness.
  • Quote – Amir Khan:

    “He was a massive inspiration to me in my career... it’s just so sad because he was a very dear friend of ours.” (31:10)

• Legacy: Hatton spoke in 2013 of his love for his children and pride in his role as a father.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pedro Sanchez on human rights:
  “Spain is shining as an example and with pride... taking a step forward in defense of human rights. Long live the Spanish people.” (05:19)
• Marco Rubio on US-Israel ties:
  “This alliance has never been stronger. As strong and durable as the stones of the Western Wall.” (09:20)
• Jacob Granger on Gaza:
  “You must understand…the population has to do the choice between staying and being at risk…or to go south…a small shelter made of Woodstock and plastic sheeting would be approximately US$1,000.” (13:10)
• Amanda Roberts on political accountability:
  “Anyone in that book, including President Trump, should be completely and 100% investigated.” (18:22)

Key Timestamps

• 00:33–07:13 – Vuelta cycling race canceled; pro-Palestinian protest, Spanish/Israeli political clash
• 07:14–13:34 – US-Israel relations: Gaza, Qatar strike, and humanitarian impact
• 13:36–14:18 – Utah governor on Charlie Kirk’s murder investigation
• 15:33–19:37 – Epstein scandal: UK and US political impacts, interviews with Giuffre’s family
• 19:40–23:38 – Abortion border battle in Bristol, TN/VA
• 23:40–27:10 – GPS jamming, global navigation risks
• 27:12–32:40 – Ricky Hatton remembered

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Current, urgent, and somber: The episode tackled stories of protest, violence, and controversy with the balanced but candid reporting associated with the BBC. Quotations and interviews offered a mixture of frank analysis, personal loss, and political challenge.
• Global Perspective: Geopolitical tensions, internal US debates, and local British stories folded into the global news sweep, reflecting the interconnectedness of modern crises and public discourse.

For more detailed segments, timestamps, and attributions, refer to the headings above.