Spain's prime minister wants international sports ban for Israel - ESPN

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called for Israel to be banned from international sporting events after pro-Palestinian activists disrupted the final stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race in Madrid.

Speaking to members of his Socialist Party, Sánchez said Israel, just like Russia, should be boycotted from international sports events because of its military campaign in Gaza.

«The sports organizations should consider whether it's ethical for Israel to keep participating in international competitions. Why expel Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and not expel Israel after the invasion of Gaza?» Sanchez said. «Until the barbarity ends, neither Russia nor Israel should be in any international competition.»

Sánchez spoke a day after Sunday's final stage had to be cut short after protesters threw barriers onto the road and clashed with police near the finish line in the Spanish capital. The protesters were opposing the participation of Israeli team Israel Premier Tech in the Grand Tour cycling event.

Spanish authorities say more than 100,000 people took part in the protest Sunday. Two people were detained by police and 22 people were injured, none of them seriously.

Spain's government had already expressed sympathy with the protesters and suggested that the Israel Premier Tech team should have withdrawn from the three-week-long race that became a diplomatic battleground.

The team removed its name from its uniforms but remained in the race until the end despite protesters' calls for it to be expelled.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday criticized Sánchez for what he deemed was encouragement for the protesters. Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, also criticized Sánchez and