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Pro-Palestinian Protests Rock Spain's Vuelta Cycling Race
Protests at Spain's Vuelta cycling race have caused disruptions including a crash and stage shortening, with organizers unable to expel the Israel-Premier Tech team despite tensions.
- During the 11th stage, Spain's La Vuelta was disrupted in Bilbao after Italy's Simone Petilli crashed encountering a roadside protest, and organisers cut the stage short by three kilometres.
- Anger over Israel's campaign in Gaza has driven protests during this year's race, while Spain's leftist coalition government, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, strongly supports Palestinians.
- Protesters have used dramatic tactics such as lining roads with Palestinian flags and carrying dolls to block Israel-Premier Tech cycling team riders, sometimes forcing swerves or stops this year.
- Israel-Premier Tech insists it will remain in the race, and race officials warned they cannot expel the team though withdrawal might reduce tensions; Social Security Minister Elma Saiz said Thursday, `Demonstrations cannot put at risk the development of a sporting event`.
- On September 3 protesters demonstrated during the 11th stage, and protests are planned along much of the route through September 14, with Basque leaders citing solidarity and parallels to the Palestinian struggle.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Incidents took place in several stages and on Friday, still escaped, were blocked for a few moments by demonstrators.
DECRYPTAGE - La Vuelta has been disturbed for several days by pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In line, the Israeli-Premier Tech team.
Prime Minister's endorsement of Israel-Premier Tech adds even more tension to a race marked by protests
Ibon Meñika leads the pro-Palestine protests in the Basque Country as a spokesman for the Gernika-Palestine initiative. But 20 years ago he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for the crime of unlawful association with which Jarrai, a youth and nationalist organization established in the Basque Country and Navarre, was ordered to dissolve, and Meñika was a leader. One year after that sentence, the radical leader was arrested in pos…
Activists who disturb the race have endangered the runners and exceded the fans, without obtaining so far the withdrawal of the Israeli-Premier Tech team.
The Vuelta is currently overshadowed by pro-Palestinian protests. Israel-Premier Tech's team manager now frees his professionals to leave the circuit.
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