Spain’s political parties are at loggerheads after mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Madrid disrupted La Vuelta on Sunday, cutting short the final stage and prompting accusations from the opposition that the left-leaning government had allowed an ‘international embarrassment’. ALSO READ: Protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza force early end to ‘La Vuelta’ cycle race in Madrid.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s remarks during the day added fuel to the fire, drawing an immediate rebuke from Israel. ALSO READ: Netanyahu accuses Sánchez of ‘blatant genocidal threat’ against Israel.
Crowds protesting the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team surged onto the course in the Spanish capital, overpowering police and forcing organisers to halt one of the sport’s most prestigious races.
According to a spokesperson for the central government’s office in Madrid, around 100,000 people took part in the rally. Two arrests were confirmed.
The unrest capped weeks of protests linked to the war in Gaza, which had already disrupted earlier stages of the three-week competition. Some routes were shortened, and demonstrators entering the course even caused crashes. ALSO READ: 11th stage of Spain’s ‘La Vuelta’ cut short due to pro-Palestinian protesters.
Several ministers from Spain’s coalition government had voiced support for the demonstrations, reflecting widespread public sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
Sánchez, speaking ahead of the curtailed final stage at a socialist party (PSOE) gathering in Málaga on Sunday, said that ‘Spain today shines as an example and as a source of pride’. The country, he added, was ‘an example to an international community where it sees Spain taking a step forward in the defence of human rights’.
Israel reacted sharply. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar branded Sánchez and his government ‘a disgrace’ and accused him of ‘encouraging the protesters to take to the streets’ through ‘his incitements’.
On Monday, Sánchez went further with his comments, reiterating his ‘deep admiration’ for the pro-Palestinian protesters who took part in rallies during various stages of La Vuelta.
He also said Israel should be barred from international sporting competitions ‘as long as the barbarism continues’ in Gaza, like Russian sport teams were penalised after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
‘Our position is clear and categorical: as long as barbarity continues, neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any international competition,’ Sánchez said. ALSO READ: Spain’s sports minister: Israeli teams should face same bans as imposed on Russia.
The right-wing opposition People’s Party (PP), which governs both the Madrid region and the city council, condemned Sunday’s events.
On social media, PP national president Alberto Núñez Feijóo criticised the scenes of police charging demonstrators and using tear gas, writing: ‘The government has allowed and induced the non-completion of La Vuelta and, in this way, an international embarrassment televised worldwide.’
Madrid’s regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso claimed on X that Sánchez ‘becomes directly responsible for any altercation that happens … what damage to our sport and our country!’
The capital’s mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida added: ‘What has happened today in Madrid is the fruit of hate and violence that have been irresponsibly encouraged in recent days by leaders from the left.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz of the left-wing Sumar group, the junior coalition partner of the PSOE, praised Spanish citizens for ‘giving a lesson to the world’. In an Instagram post, she said: ‘Israel cannot compete in any event while it continues to commit a genocide.’ Her comments came days after Israel barred her entry over her criticism of the war. ALSO READ: Spain-Israel rift widens as Madrid bars far-right ministers, recalls ambassador.
Israel-Premier Tech, owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, is not an official state team but nevertheless drew praise from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for competing in spite of the fierce opposition. ALSO READ: Spain imposes permanent weapons ban on Israel, among 8 other measures ‘to stop genocide’ in Gaza.
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Esta es mi manera de defender la postura mayoritaria de una nación civilizada y democrática como es España. pic.twitter.com/fipYaRtPPG
— Alberto Núñez Feijóo (@NunezFeijoo) September 14, 2025
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