Spanish Prime Minister Calls for Israel to Be Banned from Sports Competitions

2025-09-15 21:59:45, Kosova & Bota CNA

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Monday for Israel to be banned from sporting events, a day after pro-Palestinian activists chaotically disrupted the finish of the Vuelta cycling race in Madrid.

Israel's Foreign Minister reacted by calling Sanchez "anti-Semitic and a liar."

Tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent weeks, after the left-wing Spanish government expressed support for protesters who interrupted several stages of the Vuelta, including Sunday's final in Madrid, due to the participation of an Israeli team.

Speaking to members of his Socialist party, Sanchez said that Israel, like Russia, should not be allowed to participate in international sports because of the military campaign in Gaza.

"Sports organizations should consider whether it is ethical for Israel to continue participating in international competitions. Why was Russia excluded after the invasion of Ukraine and is Israel not being excluded after the invasion of Gaza?" Sanchez said.

"Until the barbarity stops, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition," he added.

Sanchez spoke a day after the final race of the Vuelta was interrupted when pro-Palestinian protesters, opponents of the participation of the Israeli team, Israel Premier Tech, threw up road barriers and clashed with police near the finish line.

Authorities said two people were arrested and 22 were slightly injured.

The Spanish government had previously expressed sympathy for the protesters and suggested that the Israel Premier Tech team should withdraw from the three-week competition that turned into a diplomatic battle.

The team removed the name from the jerseys, but stayed in the competition until the end.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Sanchez in a post on X, which included a video of his speech on Monday.

"An anti-Semite and a liar. Did Israel invade Gaza on October 7 or was it the terrorist state Hamas that invaded Israel and committed the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust?" Saar said.

Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants crossed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 251 others. 48 hostages are still being held in Gaza, and Israel believes 20 of them are alive.

Israel's war of revenge has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not separate the number of civilians from that of combatants. The offensive has displaced most of Gaza's 2 million residents, caused massive destruction and widespread famine.

As the war continues, Israel is increasingly isolated, and Spain is at the top of a growing list of European countries criticizing Israel over the high number of civilian casualties.

Countries such as the UK and France have said they plan to recognise a Palestinian state, while the president of the European Commission has called for limiting trade relations with Israel.

Europe remains divided on its stance towards Israel, and limited sanctions or punishments have so far had little effect./REL