NextFin news, Spain's Sports Minister Pilar Alegria called on Thursday for Israeli teams to face bans from international sports competitions similar to those imposed on Russian teams in 2022. Alegria made the statement in Spain amid ongoing protests against the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team at the Vuelta a España race.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Alegria highlighted what she described as a "double standard" in allowing Israeli teams to compete despite Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which the Spanish government has labeled "a genocide." She urged international sports federations and committees to take action comparable to the measures taken against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
"No team, no club from Russia participated in an international competition, and when the individuals participated they did it under a neutral flag and without a national anthem," Alegria said. "Given that there has been such a massacre, a genocide, such an absolutely terrible situation we are living through day-by-day, I would agree that the international federations and committees should take the same decision as in 2022."
The Israel-Premier Tech team, a private outfit owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, has continued to compete in the Vuelta despite widespread protests in Spain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the team for refusing to withdraw from the race.
Alegria expressed hope that the Vuelta could be completed despite disruptions caused by protests, which have led to the shortening of stages 11 and 16 and the preemptive reduction of stage 18's time trial for security reasons. She acknowledged that the decision to ban the team would rest with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling.
"It would not be good news if the race cannot finish," Alegria said. "However what we're seeing these days with the protests is in my opinion logical. (The protests) are a clear representation of what the people feel, sport cannot be distanced from the world that surrounds it."
Spain's leftist coalition government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has taken a strong pro-Palestinian stance, straining diplomatic relations with Israel. The Gaza offensive began in October 2023 after a cross-border attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
According to official tallies, 1,219 people were killed in the Hamas attack, mostly civilians. Israeli bombardment has killed at least 64,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
Alegria condemned the violence, stating, "(Israel) have killed more than 60,000 people, children, babies starving to death, hospitals destroyed. So it is important that sport, given this situation, takes a position at least similar to what it did against Russia."
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