A war of words between Spain and Israel has escalated after a cycling race was halted by protestors on Sunday. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, is calling for Israel to be banned from international sports competitions until what he described as the “barbarism” in Gaza stops.
Sánchez spoke a day after the Spanish Vuelta cycling race was cut short because of a pro-Palestinian protest. Spanish authorities said more than 100,000 people took part in the demonstration opposing the participation of an Israeli team in the event.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Why was the Spanish Vuelta race stopped?
The final stretch of the race was canceled when protesters threw barriers onto the road and clashed with police near the finish line in Madrid. Sánchez compared the Israeli military campaign in Gaza to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while speaking to members of his Socialist Party.
“Sports organizations should consider whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep participating in international competitions,” Sánchez said. “Why expel Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and not expel Israel after the invasion of Gaza? Our position is clear: until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition.”
Sánchez said he had “a deep admiration” for all those who had protested peacefully against the participation of the Israeli team in the event. There were about 30 miles left in the 21st stage, which was a mostly ceremonial ride into the Spanish capital, when the cyclists were stopped. Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard was declared the winner of the three-week race but never got to celebrate properly.
“It’s a pity that such a moment of eternity was taken from us,” Vingegaard said. “I’m really disappointed about that. I was looking forward to celebrating this overall win with my team and the fans. Everyone has the right to protest, but not in a way that influences or endangers our race.”
What is the Israeli government’s response?
The Israeli government denies carrying out a genocide in Gaza, and says the war is one of self-defense. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, responded to the proposed international sports ban by calling Sánchez an “antisemite and a liar.” He also accused the Spanish prime minister of inciting political violence.
“A pro-Palestinian mob sabotaged the La Vuelta cycling race in Spain,” Sa’ar said. “They did so with the support and encouragement of the Spanish Prime Minister; it’s almost unbelievable. Mr. Sánchez and his communist ministers encouraged the violence. The normalization of political violence endangers everything we defend.”
The International Olympic Committee said in a statement Tuesday, “Both the National Olympic Committees of Israel and Palestine are recognized by the IOC and enjoy the same rights. Both comply with the Olympic Charter, and we continue to work with them to try to mitigate the impact of the current conflict on athletes.”
