Shouts against the mayor of Pamplona and insults toward Pedro Sánchez during the San Fermín bullfight.

Moments before the first bullfight of San Fermín , on July 7th, Pamplona's Monumental bullring welcomes more than 19,000 fans to its most anticipated event. As they impatiently await the start, a long and loud whistle spreads through the air as the mayor, Joseba Asiron, steps into the official box. "Out, out," some shout. "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch," others chant, hurling insults at him.

This is the scene that unfolded this afternoon, recorded on video by an ABC reporter who was present. A controversial, though not entirely unexpected, reaction from the mayor of a party, Bildu , who promoted the centuries-old Sanfermín festival with a video that made no reference to a bull, a running of the bulls, or a saint, all of which are integral parts of the iconography of Semana Grande.

The politicization of an event declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO was consummated by the action of the Yala Nafarroa for Palestine platform, which kicked off the chupinazo from the balcony of City Hall with the cry of "Stop genocide! Free Palestine!"

The scene described above also featured at least one large Palestinian flag placed in the stands. A motif repeated in all the images of this year's festivities involving crowds. Other banners display pro-ETA slogans and motifs. There are also those expressing their discontent with the Spanish government these days, with particular vehemence against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The Pamplona bullring briefly forgot its festive atmosphere and this afternoon became a scene of ideological discord.