Group urges Montreal mayor to exclude Israel cycling team from Grand Prix Cyclistes

A Montreal-based group has asked Mayor Valérie Plante to bar the Israel Premier-Tech cycling team from competing in the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montréal on Sept. 14.

Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU) is urging the city to exclude the squad. The Canadian-Israeli co-owner of the cycling team, Sylvan Adams, has described the riders as ambassadors for Israel.

The demand follows recent calls in Spain for the team to withdraw from the Vuelta a España after a pro-Palestinian protest disrupted the race.

Spain's foreign minister also said he would support expelling Israel-Premier Tech from the Vuelta.

Canadian rider Pier-André Côté is competing with Israel-Premier Tech at the Vuelta. Former Canadian star Steve Bauer is the team's sporting manager. 

After reaching out to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante's office for comment, CBC News was referred to the city's media relations department. That department declined to comment and referred CBC News to the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montréal. 

Meanwhile, Canadian Olympic runner Moh Ahmed and hundreds of others have signed a letter urging Tennis Canada to cancel next week's Davis Cup tie with Israel in Halifax.