Podcast Episode Summary: “El Abierto | El reconocimiento del Estado de Palestina y los fallos de las pulseras antimaltrato”

Hoy por Hoy, SER Podcast – September 22, 2025
Panel: Àngels Barceló (host), Berna González Harbour, Cristina de la Hoz, Antón Losada, Pablo Morán, Nicolás Castellano, David Junquera, Guillermo Lerma, Mariola Lourido, Sara Canals

Overview

This episode of El Abierto delves into two major current affairs: (1) the wave of countries recognizing the State of Palestine ahead of a critical UN General Assembly, and (2) recent failures and controversy surrounding Spain’s anti-abuse electronic monitoring bracelets (pulseras antimaltrato). The discussion features thorough political and geopolitical analysis, reactions from Israel/Palestine, and a critical look at the handling of gender violence protection systems.

Main Topic 1: International Recognition of the State of Palestine

Context: A Wave of Recognitions Before the UN General Assembly

• [01:13] The episode opens with the significant news: a growing number of Western countries—UK, Australia, Canada, Portugal, France—are officially recognizing the State of Palestine, joining earlier recognitions, especially after the escalation in Gaza since October 2023.
• [01:53] Pablo Morán highlights the symbolic weight of the UK’s shift given its historical role in Israel’s foundation. He also notes Macron’s defense of France’s decision:

  "Ce que nous voulons, ce que veut la France, c'est la paix."
  (Emmanuel Macron, quoted in French, [03:08])

Is This Shift Merely Symbolic?

• Multiple analysts agree the recognition is mainly symbolic given “the two-state reality is currently impossible” ([03:43]).

• Key obstacles:

  • Israeli settlement expansion (over 800,000 settlers in West Bank; [04:32], Berna González Harbour)
  • Lack of territory contiguity for a viable Palestinian state
  • Ongoing military occupation and growing isolation of Israel among the international community

• Notable Quote:

  "Este reconocimiento…si no va acompañado de medidas concretas…es una farsa, es una apariencia de que se hace algo, cuando en realidad el gobierno Netanyahu sigue disfrutando de la impunidad."
  (Antón Losada, [05:09])

Israeli and Palestinian Reactions

• [06:30] Israel’s PM Netanyahu reacts angrily, threatening those recognizing Palestine, stating there “will not be a Palestinian state west of the Jordan.”

• Ultra ministers (e.g., Ben Gvir, Smotrich) call for the annexation of the West Bank ([07:12]).

• In the West Bank, local fear is real:

  "Esta amenaza se recibe con mucho temor, Ángel...Los ministros más ultra están envalentonados por esta reacción."
  (Nicolás Castellano, [07:12])

• Shockingly, even Israeli leftists view the recognitions as “a political catastrophe” ([08:42]), seeing it now as a prize for terrorism, signaling how far consensus has shifted inside Israel.

The (Limited) Power of the Move

• [10:14] The recognition won't immediately stop violence or ensure a two-state solution, but marks a symbolic high point.

  • "El laborismo Starmer está siendo presionado desde la izquierda de su partido por estas matanzas...los ciudadanos somos importantes...las acciones individuales y la presión...tumban gobiernos."
    (Berna González Harbour, [10:14])

• The U.S. blocks Palestinian participation at the UN—highlighting realpolitik limits ([12:12]).

Political and Legal Implications

• [12:50] Antón Losada gives historical context: recognition is not just about symbolism; it upholds the principle that genocide—including destruction of a nation’s juridical and political reality—cannot go unchallenged. Drawing analogies with the founding of Israel post-Holocaust, he emphasizes:

  "La manera de conservar la memoria de ese pueblo es reconocerlo como Estado. Exactamente lo que se hizo con los judíos después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial..."
  (Antón Losada, [12:50])

• [15:51] Cristina de la Hoz highlights that "en diplomacia los gestos tienen valor", but underscores that key countries like Germany remain holdouts and that sanctions are unlikely.

The Arab Role and the "Quid Pro Quo" Question

• [18:53] There’s debate over whether more Arab states also need to recognize Israel:
  • Many already have (Morocco, Egypt, Jordan), but U.S. leverage keeps most silent despite ongoing violence ([19:16]).
  • Losada warns against a transactional (quid pro quo) logic, insisting international law must prevail ([20:19]).

International Law and its Limits

• [21:21] Can legal frameworks matter if they're ignored?
  • "Pero es que a nosotros no debería darnos igual y no nos da igual. Y eso es lo que nos diferencia…"
    (Antón Losada, [21:41])

Arms Trade and Geopolitical Shifts

• [23:32] The panel acknowledges that military aid from the U.S. and Europe (esp. Germany, UK) sustains Israel, even amid shifting rhetoric.
• Recognition moves might slowly change this as happened with the Ukraine war, but the pace is slow ([24:47], Berna González Harbour).

Main Topic 2: On-the-Ground Situation in Cisjordania

Intensified Repression, Settlements, and Daily Violence

• [25:35] Nicolás Castellano reports from inside the West Bank:
  • Israeli military raids at unprecedented scale since October 7
  • Massive, arbitrary detentions (over 11,000 in Tulcaren alone)
  • Destruction of Palestinian families, rampant settlement expansion (~800,000 settlers in East Jerusalem alone)
  • Civilian life under siege/extreme violence:

    "No hay parada, 24 horas de acoso, de asedio."
    (Local pharmacist Yazid, [25:53])

  • Human cost: repetition of tragic individual stories ([28:30]).

Spanish Political Debate: Gaza, Diplomacy, and Domestic Parties

Spain's Diplomatic Stance

• [29:57] Spain's government hopes Western recognitions will isolate Netanyahu and pressure Israel. PM Sánchez expects domestic political dividends amid internal divisions in the opposition PP ([30:22]).

• [31:29] Sánchez:

  "Lo que esperamos de Aznar son disculpas por su guerra de Irak."

  • PSOE sees the Gaza issue as a strategic win, pushing PP into internal contradictions and defensive postures.

The Partido Popular’s Dilemma

• [32:14] PP is described as struggling to articulate a position:

  • Feijóo’s party wants to highlight domestic issues (corruption, bracelet scandal) but can't avoid Gaza.
  • Internal split: Genoa moderates vs. hardline pro-Israelis (Ayuso, Aznar).

  "Dicen...la única controversia política que hay aquí sobre este tema la tienen ustedes en el seno del PP. En el resto de la sociedad hay una mayoría bastante aplastante..."
  (Antón Losada, [37:13])

• [34:37] Cristina de la Hoz expresses surprise at Aznar’s pro-Israel shift:

  “La deriva actual no la entiendo...sus últimas declaraciones diciendo Netanyahu gana esta batalla, como dice Borrell, esto no es una guerra, esto es un ataque de un país democrático a una población indefensa...”

• [39:38] Berna González Harbour:

  "Ayuso y Aznar están regalando a Pedro Sánchez la victoria y la recuperación en la rentrée política de este curso...El Partido Popular, Feijóo debería recordar Irak. Tú no puedes estar en contra de la opinión pública española..."

The “Genocide” Semantic Debate

• [41:48] Both panel and politicians are split on applying the term "genocide" to Israel’s actions in Gaza. While many agree ethically, some stress that legal institutions use different terminology (e.g., “crímenes de guerra, lesa humanidad”; [43:05, Cristina de la Hoz]).

• [44:26] Antón Losada:

  "A mí me da igual si le llaman genocidio o no, porque yo ya sé lo que es, yo ya tengo una opinión formada..."

• The recurring critique: the PP dodges substance by making Gaza a domestic wedge issue instead of articulating a principled position ([45:48]).

Main Topic 3: Controversy Over Anti-Maltrato Electronic Bracelets

Technical Failures and Political Accountability

• [49:38] New segment analyzes the malfunctions in the pulseras antimaltrato—electronic bracelets for tracking domestic abusers—due to data migration issues as Telefónica transferred responsibility to Vodafone.

• The government minimizes the impact, but won't specify how many victims or cases were affected ([49:55], [52:36]). This lack of transparency allows the PP to spread misleading claims (e.g., bracelets bought on Aliexpress; debunked by both government and Vodafone).

• [52:53] Antón Losada voices public frustration:

  "He intentado seguir la información, he intentado averiguar qué es lo que ha pasado, pero entre lo que unos cuentan, lo que otros insinúan y lo que otros no aclaran, yo no sé exactamente lo que lo que ha pasado."

  “El problema no es que las cosas fallen...el problema es que no te avisen, el problema es que no te informen...”
  (Antón Losada, [53:13])

• [54:49] Berna González Harbour draws parallels to the government's earlier poor handling of the “solo sí es sí” law:

  “Lo primero es la empatía con las víctimas y ahora vuelve a ocurrir lo mismo, hay víctimas afectadas...Y esa ministra tiene que dar explicaciones.”

• [56:21] Cristina de la Hoz criticizes the Ministry’s minimization ("es un 1%") and lists potential errors in procurement and communications ([56:30]).

• [58:13] Antón Losada returns to the need for responsibility, demanding not only ministerial but also private company (Telefónica) accountability.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• “La manera de conservar la memoria de ese pueblo es reconocerlo como Estado.”
  Antón Losada, [12:50]
• “El laborismo Starmer está siendo presionado desde la izquierda de su partido por estas matanzas...las acciones individuales y la presión...tumban gobiernos.”
  Berna González Harbour, [10:14]
• “No hay parada, 24 horas de acoso, de asedio.”
  Local pharmacist Yazid via Nicolás Castellano, [25:53]
• “El Partido Popular, Feijóo debería recordar Irak, Tú no puedes estar en contra de la opinión pública española.”
  Berna González Harbour, [39:38]

Key Timestamps

• 01:13–05:33 Initial international developments and symbolic value of recognitions
• 06:30–10:14 Netanyahu’s threats; West Bank fears and the reactions from Israel/Palestine
• 12:12–16:00 US’s blocking of Palestinian leader at the UN; deeper analysis on symbolism, law, and geopolitics
• 25:35–29:03 Live report from West Bank/Cisjordania: escalation and daily Palestinian suffering
• 29:57–39:38 Domestic political consequences in Spain, particularly the PP’s divisions and PSOE’s strategy
• 49:38–58:42 In-depth on the pulseras antimaltrato: technical, political, and information failures

Language & Tone

The tone is direct, critical, and sometimes passionate, reflecting exhaustion and outrage at the humanitarian crisis and governmental failings. Speakers balance data, lived experiences, and pointed commentary, never shying from calling out hypocrisy or bureaucracy.

Conclusion

This episode powerfully blends granular reportage—from both UN diplomatic corridors and the West Bank’s besieged cities—with a candid, sometimes harsh debrief of both the geopolitics of the Israel/Palestine conflict and Spanish domestic policy. It highlights the gap between symbolic gestures and effective change and calls for accountability at all levels—international, national, and individual—for both justice in Gaza/Palestine and Spain’s struggle against gender-based violence.