Israel Accuses Spain PM of Inciting Protests During Vuelta a España

Tensions escalated between Israel and Spain on September 10, 2023, when pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted the final stage of the Vuelta a España cycling competition. The protest, aimed at opposing the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, led to the event’s premature cancellation, drawing sharp criticism from Israeli officials.

In a post on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of “inciting” the demonstrators, whom he referred to as “pro-Palestinian mobs.” Sa’ar expressed his discontent by stating, “The sporting event that had always been a source of pride for Spain was canceled,” and labeled Sánchez’s government “a disgrace to Spain!”

The tension has roots in Sánchez’s previous remarks regarding Spain’s limitations on the global stage. In a speech earlier this month, he lamented that Spain does not possess nuclear weapons or significant military resources, thus feeling powerless to intervene in the Israeli military operations in Gaza. This statement was part of a broader call for the international community to help stop the civilian casualties in the region.

Since 2023, relations between Israel and Spain have deteriorated, particularly following the October 7 attack by Hamas. Sánchez has become one of the European Union’s most vocal critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Last year, Spain recognized Palestinian statehood and recently implemented stringent measures against Israel, including a permanent weapons embargo.

Following these developments, Sa’ar accused the Spanish government of adopting an “antisemitic” stance, claiming it was using a “hostile anti-Israeli line” to divert attention from domestic corruption issues. He also restricted the entry of two members of Sánchez’s cabinet to Israel, citing their alleged support for terrorism.

The protests during the Vuelta a España have been particularly pronounced, with demonstrators frequently blocking race routes while displaying Palestinian flags and banners denouncing Israel’s military actions. Following disruptions in Bilbao last week, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares indicated he understood the protesters’ sentiments, suggesting that expelling the Israeli team might be warranted, although he clarified that the decision was not within the government’s authority.

On the day of the race’s cancellation, Sánchez spoke at a Socialist Party rally in Málaga, voicing support for the protesters. He remarked, “Respect and recognition for the athletes … And our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilize for just causes like Palestine.”

Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, one of the officials banned from Israel, praised the large turnout of demonstrators, stating on BlueSky, “Spanish society does not tolerate the normalization of the genocide in Gaza at sporting and cultural events.”

In contrast, conservative leaders criticized the government’s stance. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, head of the center-right People’s Party, accused Sánchez’s administration of exposing Spain to global embarrassment by endorsing disruptive protests. Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso echoed these sentiments, claiming that Sánchez’s actions had caused significant harm to Spain’s reputation and sportsmanship.

Following the cancellation of the Vuelta a España, an estimated 100,000 demonstrators continued to rally in Madrid, leading to clashes with police in the city center. According to Francisco Martín, the Government Delegate in Madrid, at least two arrests were made, and 22 police officers sustained injuries during the unrest.

The situation highlights the growing divide between Spain and Israel, as political leaders navigate the complex landscape of international relations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.