Spanish PM calls for Israel ban after chaos at cycling
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in the chaotic scenes in Madrid, disrupted the last stage of the Spanish Vuelta Bicycle Race after he wanted to ban Israel’s sports events.
Speaking to members of the Socialist Party on Monday, Sánchez said Israel, like Russia, should not be allowed to compete in international sports events due to a military campaign in Gaza.
“Sports organizations should consider whether Israel continues to participate in international competitions. Sanchez said.
“Until the end of the barbarism, neither Russia nor Israel should compete in any international competition.”
Sánchez spoke a day after Vuelta’s last stage when the pro -Palestinian protesters opposing the participation of the Israeli team clashed with the police close to the end line at the Spanish capital.
Authorities, two people were arrested and 22 people were injured, none of them were serious, he said.
Spain’s left -wing government sympathized with protesters and proposed to withdraw from the three -week race, which has become a diplomatic war area of the leading technology team of Israel.
The team took its name out of their uniforms, but remained in the race despite the fact that the protesters called for the expulsion of the protesters.
Danish Rider Jonas Vinggegaard, who led the overall classification that entered the final stage, was declared as the winner of Vuelta, but the traditional podium ceremony was canceled.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the protesters for “breaking” and criticized Sanchez to “praise” protests.
“Instead, I want to praise everyone who doesn’t spoil anything for athletes and others,” Instagram wrote.
Vuelta racing director Javier Guillén defended the decision of the Israeli team to remain in the race on Monday.
Central government’s representative of the Madrid region, said 100,000 people were on the streets during the protests. The number could not be confirmed independently.
