Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt La Vuelta a España Cycling Race

Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the La Vuelta a España cycling race, targeting the Israeli-owned team Israel-Premier Tech by waving Palestinian flags and calling for a boycott due to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The protests led to the cancellation of stage 11's finish and created unsafe conditions, with reports of rider harassment and crashes, including an incident involving Simone Petilli. Israel-Premier Tech's owner, Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, condemned the protests as violent and maintained the team's participation, with support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Riders and officials expressed frustration over the disruptions, noting that police struggled to control the situation and that protests might now extend beyond opposition to the Israeli team to the race itself. Despite the controversy, the team has no official ties to the Israeli government, with only a few Israeli cyclists on the roster, emphasizing that the conflict's impact has reached the sporting world in a complex and contentious manner. The ongoing protests highlight how international political conflicts can permeate global sporting events, affecting athletes and competitions.