Spain’s Vuelta Confronts Controversy and Security Threats

The Spanish Vuelta cycling race is set to conclude in Madrid this weekend, facing significant security challenges as pro-Palestinian protests threaten to disrupt the event. With fears of unrest, authorities have deployed up to 1,500 police officers for the final two stages, which will commence in the mountains west of the capital on September 30, 2023, and finish in central Madrid the following day. This year’s race, a prominent event in the cycling calendar alongside the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, has been marred by demonstrations opposing the participation of the Israeli team, Israel-Premier Tech.

Throughout the race, demonstrations have intensified, particularly during the 11th stage in Bilbao, where protesters waving Palestinian flags confronted stewards in an attempt to breach security perimeters. The disturbance resulted in the suspension of the stage several kilometres from the finish line, with no winner declared. More unrest occurred last Sunday in Lugo, Galicia, leading to 10 arrests and injuries to two cyclists, including Spanish rider Javier Romo, who was forced to withdraw from the race due to his injuries.

Riders have expressed concern over their safety, with reports of demonstrators throwing broken glass and nails at competitors. “We are offering a sporting show and we should be an example for youngsters, but in the end another image is being given,” Romo stated.

Protesters have taken their dissent further by hacking into the Vuelta’s official radio channel to broadcast pro-Palestinian messages. The stage in Pontevedra was also cut short due to safety fears. Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard, currently leading the race, acknowledged the situation, saying, “Everyone has a right to protest, but it’s a shame that it has to happen here and in this way and that we can’t finish the race.”

The Israel-Premier Tech team has opted to remain in the competition despite the tensions. In response to the protests, they have removed the name “Israel” from their riders’ shirts, citing safety concerns. The team, owned by Canadian-Israeli Sylvan Adams, has received support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who commended them for “not giving in to hate and intimidation.”

In the political realm, a Spanish judge has initiated a preliminary investigation into potential hate crime charges against protesters. Authorities are bracing for potential disturbances during the final stages, marking the largest police presence Madrid has seen since the NATO summit in 2022. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska emphasized the need to balance the right to protest with public safety, stating, “Citizens have the right to protest, but that has to comply with security and not put at risk the safety of the cyclists or those who come to see them.”

The backdrop to the Vuelta’s turmoil is a larger international dispute between the Spanish government and Israel. Earlier this month, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares suggested that the Israel-Premier Tech team should be barred from the race due to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has taken a strong stance against Israel, labelling its actions as “genocide” and announcing measures against the country, including a weapons embargo.

Public sentiment in Spain appears to align with Sánchez, as a recent poll by the Royal Elcano Institute revealed that 82 percent of Spaniards believe Israel is committing genocide, a significant increase from 71 percent the previous year.

While the government presents a unified front on the Gaza issue, the opposition has shown mixed reactions. The leader of the conservative People’s Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, condemned Israel’s actions but refrained from using the term “genocide.” In contrast, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the hard-line president of the Madrid region, has vocally supported Israel and criticized the protests, stating, “The athletes’ lives are under attack and freedom is being halted.”

As the Vuelta approaches its conclusion, the interplay of sports, politics, and public sentiment continues to shape the narrative, underscoring the race’s role as a platform for broader societal issues.