The Spanish head of government – a critic of the Israeli government – says he has “profound admiration for Spanish civil society, who mobilizes against injustice” in Gaza. The final stage of Vuelta was interrupted after more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters invaded the circuit.
The head of Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, reiterated on Monday “deep admiration for Spanish civil society, which mobilizes against injustice”, a day after the pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid interrupt the end of the return to Spain.
The Socialist – a critic of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, – he argued that Israel should not participate in any international sports competition “while barbarism continues” in Gaza, giving Russia’s example and remembering the sanctions imposed on its athletes since the invasion of Ukraine.
Despite harsh criticism of the opposition of conservative movements and parties since the chaotic end of the Spanish cycling race on Sunday, after thousands of protesters invaded the course of Madrid, the socialist prime minister remained firm in his position.
“We, of course, have always rejected violence. This is obvious. We have always rejected. We feel, as I said, a profound admiration and respect for our athletes, for the cyclists of the return to Spain,” said the head of Spanish government, adding that, however, he feels “immense respect and admiration for a Spanish civil society that mobilizes against injustice and defends their convictions in a peaceful way.”
What happened at Vuelta?
On Sunday, the final stage of ‘Vuelta’, one of the most important sporting events in the country, was interrupted despite the increase in safety measures in the capital and an unprecedented sending of police forces.
Tens of thousands of people – 100,000, according to the government – filled the route with flags and posters to denounce the “Zionist genocide” in Gaza, leading to the early end of the cyclist race.
“The government not only allowed it, it encouraged the interruption of ‘Vuelta’, causing international shame that spread around the world,” criticized Alberto Nuñez Feijoó, leader of the right -wing Popular Party (PP) on Sunday night social network.
