Spain’s Foreign Minister Urges Expulsion of Israeli Cycling Team Amid Gaza Protests

from the Vuelta a España amid Gaza protests (image source)

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has called for the removal of the Israel Premier Tech cycling team from the prestigious Vuelta a España, citing escalating pro-Palestinian protests and growing concerns over human rights violations in Gaza.

“Europe and Israel can only have normal relations when human rights are respected,” Albares told Spanish public radio RNE, aligning with race organizers who had earlier suggested the team withdraw voluntarily to avoid further unrest.

The controversy erupted during Stage 11 in Bilbao, when demonstrators waving Palestinian flags breached barriers near the finish line, forcing the stage’s cancellation. Subsequent stages were similarly disrupted, with protesters throwing objects and blocking roads. In response, Israel Premier Tech removed the word “Israel” from their jerseys and vehicles, opting for neutral monogram-branded kits.

Stage 16 was curtailed eight kilometers before its scheduled finish due to road blockages. Riders have threatened to neutralize Stage 17 if disruptions persist, with some considering quitting the race entirely. The riders' union, represented by CPA vice president Pascal Chanteur, has backed this stance, emphasizing safety as paramount. The protests are part of a broader backlash against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has devastated the region’s sporting community. According to the Palestinian Football Association, at least 785 Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed since October 2023. Among them were 437 footballers, including youth players and national team members.

In addition, 278 sports facilities have been destroyed, including stadiums repurposed as detention centers. The historic Al-Yarmouk Stadium was reportedly turned into a mass detention site, while Khan Younis Stadium now shelters displaced families. The destruction has crippled Gaza’s ability to train, compete, or host sporting events, effectively erasing decades of athletic development.

The crisis has prompted calls from prominent sporting personalities for Israel’s expulsion from international competitions. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah sparked global debate by questioning UEFA’s sanitized tribute to slain Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, dubbed the “Palestinian Pelé.” Salah’s viral post was reshared by former England striker Gary Lineker, who added: “We can’t hear you UEFA.”

Lineker has faced backlash for reposting a call to ban Israel from football, leading to his departure from BBC’s World Cup coverage. Italy’s national coach Gennaro Gattuso also made headlines after clashing with Israeli players during a heated World Cup qualifier in Hungary. Gattuso later stated: “I am a man of peace, and the worst thing is seeing civilians and children being hit and losing their lives.”

The debate has reignited scrutiny over perceived double standards in international sport. Russia remains banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite six appeals, the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the ban, and Russia is barred from the 2026 World Cup. Critics argue that if Israel is allowed to participate despite its military actions and alleged human rights violations, then Russia’s exclusion appears inconsistent. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin acknowledged the dilemma, stating: “Did the war stop? It didn’t. So for now, I don’t know,” while expressing reluctance to punish athletes for their governments’ actions. As the Vuelta a España continues under heightened tension, the intersection of sport and politics grows increasingly fraught. Albares’ call for expulsion may set a precedent for future sporting diplomacy, challenging governing bodies to reconcile athletic neutrality with moral accountability.

“We must send a message to Israel — human rights matter.” — José Manuel Albares

With hundreds of athletes dead, stadiums reduced to rubble, and global icons speaking out, the sporting world faces a reckoning. Whether Israel remains in the international arena—or joins Russia on the sidelines—will be a defining test of sport’s role in upholding justice.