The Propalestinian demonstrators who demand the eviction of the cycling team Israel-Prime Tech from the Tour of Spanish cycling received weight support. That of José Manuel Albares, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Spanish.
In an interview given to the RNE this Thursday evening, José Manuel Albares was very clear: “We cannot continue to have a normal relationship with Israel, as if nothing was happening. As we did with Russia, where all the teams were expelled. The decision is not that of the government, but that of the UCI (the international cycling federation). The government has nothing to do with the participation of Israel-Prime Tech in the Vuelta. »»
Regarding a possible exclusion from Israel-Prime Tech, the Minister gave his feeling without taking gloves: “I understand and I would be in favor, because we must send the message to Israel and to his company that Europe and Israel can only have a relationship if human rights are respected (…), in the same way as the message is sent to Russia. We cannot continue sports competitions as if nothing had happened. »»
With this declaration, the pressure will therefore still go up a notch around the Israeli team (composed of foreign runners). In the name of the security and serenity of the event, many participants and even certain voices among the organizers would like to withdraw.
Because it is a majority of Spain that supports the Palestinian cause. The country has also officially recognized the state of Palestine from May 28, 2024, at the same time as Ireland and Norway. Israel immediately repatriated his ambassador to Madrid without replacing him. “The Palestinians have the right to have a state, as the Israelis have this right,” said José Manuel Albares.
