Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz (Credit: EP)
"Israel cannot participate in any event," says Spain's Deputy Prime Minister
Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz expressed strong support on social media for pro-Palestinian demonstrations that led to the cancellation of the Vuelta a España cycling race’s final stage in Madrid, which had included participation from the Israel-Premier Tech team.
In a post shared alongside video footage of the protests, Díaz wrote, “Spanish society does not tolerate the normalization of the genocide in Gaza in sports and cultural events. Israel cannot participate in any event.”
She added, “All our support goes to the demonstrations for the Palestinian people during the Vuelta cycling race. Our citizens are an example of dignity.”
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Madrid’s streets erupted in chaos on Sunday as pro-Palestinian demonstrators forced the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta a España, bringing to a head weeks of unrest over the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists witnessed protesters tearing down barriers along the city’s iconic Gran Vía, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Boycott Israel,” “It’s not a war, it’s a genocide,” and “No more deaths of innocent children.” Demonstrators swarmed the racecourse, prompting authorities to respond with police charges and tear gas.
Hundreds of protesters celebrated the stage’s cancellation before the riders arrived, chanting “Palestine wins this Vuelta.”
