Spain's PM demands Israel exclusion from sports over Gaza conflict

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for a ban on Israel's participation in international sporting events. This significant stance was expressed after a pro-Palestinian protest disrupted the prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race, which occurred in early September 2025. Over 100,000 demonstrators voiced their opposition to an Israeli cycling team participating in the race. The protest led to the event being cut short, and Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard was declared the winner without the usual celebrations. This protest and subsequent political statement from Sánchez indicate growing tension and vocalization against Israel's actions in Gaza. Sánchez articulated his position during a formal speech where he denounced what he described as the 'barbarism' occurring in Gaza, urging international sports organizations to reevaluate Israel's participation in sports. He equated Israel's situation to that of Russia, which has faced widespread bans and sanctions from the sporting community following its invasion of Ukraine earlier in 2022. Sánchez expressed specific admiration for those who peacefully protested against Israeli athletes, further heightening public sentiment against Israel in the context of the ongoing conflict. In contrast, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar vehemently rebuked Sánchez's comments, labeling him as an 'antisemite' and asserting that such rhetoric incites political violence. Furthermore, Sa'ar highlighted that protests disrupting sporting events, such as the one at the Vuelta, are harmful and misrepresent reality, referring to them as a 'pro-Palestinian mob' sabotaging the race. The backlash against Israel has transcended sports, entering cultural arenas as well. Various global figures in the entertainment industry have echoed similar sentiments, with some pledging to boycott Israeli film institutions in solidarity with Palestine. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA have yet to take decisive action against Israel, noting that previous legal justifications for sanctions against Russia do not currently apply in Israel's case. As these events unfold, it remains to be seen how prominent leaders and international organizations will respond moving forward, especially considering Sánchez's bold call for Israel's exclusion from sports, which no other world leader has publicly supported as of now.