Spain’s Prime Minister Urges Ban on Israel from International Sports Following Vuelta a España Disruption + Video

According to Roknd, citing The Guardian the early abandonment of the Vuelta a España cycling race on Sunday, prompted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, has led Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to demand that Israel be excluded from international sporting competitions as long as its actions in Gaza continue. Sánchez argued that allowing Israel to participate in high-profile events enables it to obscure what he termed its “barbarism.”

The prime minister’s remarks came a day after peaceful protests against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team disrupted the race, resulting in chaotic scenes and confrontations with the police. Sánchez expressed his “deep admiration” for demonstrators who opposed the team’s presence without resorting to violence.

Despite criticism from political opponents for his comments prior to the race, Sánchez expressed hope that the events in Madrid would spark a wider international debate on Israel’s participation in global sports. He urged sports organizations worldwide to consider the ethical implications of allowing Israel to compete while it continues its military operations in Gaza.

Sánchez has consistently highlighted perceived international double standards, questioning global responses to conflicts in Ukraine versus Gaza. Earlier this year, he suggested Israel should be barred from the Eurovision Song Contest, a position recently echoed by Spain’s culture minister.

While Israel-Premier Tech is a private entity, not a national team, its involvement in the race had triggered a wave of protests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the team for standing firm in the face of opposition, asserting that their performance had made Israel proud.

Sunday’s protests saw more than 100,000 demonstrators gather in Madrid. According to the Spanish government, clashes with law enforcement resulted in injuries to 22 police officers and the arrest of two individuals. Sánchez, who has openly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal, lauded both the cyclists’ conduct and the Spanish public for peacefully mobilizing against perceived injustice. He stated, “Today, Spain stands as an example of human rights advocacy and peaceful civic engagement.”

However, the abrupt termination of the Vuelta prompted severe criticism from Sánchez’s political adversaries. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s Party, accused the prime minister of encouraging disruptive behavior, arguing that it tarnished Spain’s international reputation. Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Madrid region, similarly blamed Sánchez for directly inciting the boycott, emphasizing the harm caused to both sport and national image.

The Israeli government condemned Sánchez’s position as a “continuous anti-Israel and antisemitic attack” and attributed responsibility for the race’s disruption to his comments. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that the protests had effectively destroyed an event that had long been a source of national pride for Spain.

Last week, Israel announced sanctions against two senior Spanish left-wing officials, including Labour Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz and Youth Minister Sira Rego, banning them from entering the country due to their criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza.

Public opinion in Spain appears to align with Sánchez’s stance. A July survey conducted by the Elcano Royal Institute found that 82% of respondents viewed Israel as committing genocide, while 70% believed the European Union should impose sanctions on the country.

Although some conservative figures dispute claims of genocide, Feijóo criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the October 7 attacks, asserting that retaliation should not involve additional civilian casualties among Palestinians.