"It is unacceptable" - Spanish political party pushes for removal of Israel - Premier Tech from Vuelta

The protests against Israel - Premier Tech's participation in cycling races are gaining on strength. The team of Sylvan Adams has been once again in the center of attention during stage 5 team time trial when a group equipped with Palestinian flags and political slogans, including a banner, blocked the road for the oncoming eight-man train which had to almost come to a full stop. Their time has been adjusted to account for the incovenience afterwards.

Israel - Premier Tech experienced something similar earlier this year in the Giro d'Italia, when protesters tried to bar them from the Italian Grand Tour, while we (too) frequently see fans run onto the course in recent months.

The team had previously taken measures to limit protests, such as using neutral colors on the team bus and training kit.

However the tension remains high and the situation is not different in Spain. Spanish political party Izquierda Unida is asking the government to propose to the Vuelta organizers that Israel - Premier Tech be excluded. "Certainly as long as the measures of the International Court of Justice regarding what is happening in Gaza remain in force," they said.

"Elite sport practiced on Spanish soil must be fully compliant with the state's obligations regarding human rights and international law, as well as with the principles of non-discrimination, integrity, and social responsibility. It is unacceptable that sports teams in Spain that contribute to the institutional whitewashing of Israel's image, as a result of the actions now being taken in Gaza, are being directly or indirectly promoted or normalized with public support," the party stated.

Javier Guillén, race director of the Spanish stage race, emphasizes that he didn't invite Israel - Premier Tech himself, but that the team, as the second-best ProTeam in the UCI rankings, had secured a guaranteed participation. "They have the right to participate, and we must allow them. Moreover, the team hasn't been banned from participating by any authority."