The final stage of the 2025 Vuelta, a España in Madrid, had to be abandoned after huge pro-Palestinian protests over 100,000 people reportedly took to the streets. The demonstrators targeted the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, accusing Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza. Things got tense, with clashes between protesters and police, and the race couldn’t continue.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed admiration for the protesters and even suggested that Israel should be excluded from international sporting events until its actions in Gaza change. That statement hasn’t gone over. Well, opposition leaders in Spain have slammed him for encouraging unrest and risking the country’s image. Israel responded by barring two Spanish ministers from entering.
Beyond the politics, this raises big questions about safety at sporting events and whether cycling teams might boycott races involving Israel-Premier Tech in the future. Sports and politics are colliding in a way that could have long-lasting effects on international competitions.
To repeat what I’ve posted elsewhere. Back in the day, South Africa wasn’t just isolated by refusal of countries to do business with them, but we let their population know the rest of the worlds views by the banning them from international sporting events. One of the things SA did, was to include black players to show that the subdued could have liberty, but only when it suited SA’s image.
Of course it affects my image of the country. Go Spain!
Free 🇵🇸
The protests are working.
Good job Spanish protesters and even politicians. This easily could have ended in the politicians blaming the protesters for cancelling an iconic event. Instead they amplified the protest by putting pressure on Israel.
Sadly not all countries in the EU are consquent against Israel, calling genocide what they do in Palestina, like Spain and Pedro Sanchez, which also was the first to promote and recognize Palestina as sovereign state. Its logical that he sypatize with with the protesters.
