Madrid-Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday banned Israel from international sports events after Pro-Filistini activists Disrupted the final stage of Spanish Vulta Cycling race in Madrid.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gidon Saar replied to Sanchez as “Antesemite and a False”.
Tension between the two countries has increased in recent weeks as the Spain government had expressed support for the protesters, who disrupted several stages of Wulta, including the last phase of Sunday in Madrid, as an Israeli team was participating.
Talking to his Samajwadi Party members, Sanchez said that Israel, like Russia, should be boycotted with international sports events due to its military operations in Gaza, killing thousands of civilians after Hamas -led attacks in October 2023.
“Sports organizations should consider whether to participate in international competitions for Israel is ethical. Why expel Russia after Ukraine’s invasion and don’t expel Israel after Gaza’s invasion?” Sanchez said. “Neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition until the barbarity ends.”
A day after the last phase of Sunday, Sanchez spoke when the protesters threw obstacles on the road and collided with the police near the Finnish line in the Spanish capital. The Israeli team was opposing the participation of Israeli Premier Tech at the protesting Grand Tour Cycling event.
Spanish officials say more than 100,000 people participated in protest on Sunday. Two people were detained by the police and 22 were injured, none of them were seriously.
The Spain government had already expressed sympathy with the protesters and suggested that the Israeli Premier Tech team should have taken back from a three -week long race that became a diplomatic battleground.
The team removed its name from its uniform, but remained in the race until the end, despite expecting the calls of the protesters.
Saar criticized Sanches with a post on X which included a video link for the Spanish leader’s speech on Monday.
“An antisemite and a false,” SA’ar posted. “Is Israel invaded Gaza on 7 October or did Hamas Terror kingdom invade Israel and have the worst massacre against the Jews since the Holocaust?”
Madrid Mayor, Jose Louis Martinez-Almeeda also criticized the cenches and described the incidents of Sunday as a tragic day for the Spanish capital.
Jonas Winggard, a bike rider, was confirmed as the overall winner of the race.
There was no platform winner due to security concerns and the podium function was discontinued. The organizers stated that the final stage “ended quickly to ensure the safety of the riders.”
Danish Prime Minister Metet Fredericseen condemned the protesters to “spoil” the protests and criticized Sanchhez for “praising” protests.
“Instead I want to praise athletes and everyone who does not spoil things for others,” she wrote on Instagram.
Javier Guilan, director of the Vulta Race, defended the Israeli team’s decision to stay in the race on Monday.
“We had to follow the criteria of the International Cycling Union,” Guilan said at a news conference. It is the UCI that controls the right to enter the race. ” “We never got into any other type of debate. What we wanted to do was able to complete the race with a normal situation, and this was not possible.”
Vulta was interrupted by protesters during several stages, some were shortened and others were interrupted.
Guilan said that Vulta protests would have implications for future sports programs with Israeli participants.
“After this vulta, international institutions will need to decide, and cycling will require some internal discussions to find solutions,” he said.
Next year’s Tour Day France begins with a platform in Barcelona.
“Hopefully everything will be solved by then,” he said. “I don’t want to speculate with any possibilities. I am sure Barcelona will have a great tour day France.”
