MADRID <\/p>\n
The 16th stage of Spain\u2019s La Vuelta cycling race was cut short Tuesday due to anti-Israel demonstrations.<\/p>\n
The stage, which took place in the northern Galicia region, was ended 8 kilometers (5 miles) before the designated finish line at Castro de Herville due to protests held at the finish area.<\/p>\n
Spanish protesters opposing the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team \u2013 owned by Sylvan Adams, a known close friend of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu \u2013 have continued their demonstrations across all stages of the race in Spain since Aug. 27.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people protested along the race route, condemning what they described as genocide committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories.<\/p>\n
Waving Palestinian flags, the crowds chanted slogans such as \u201cThis is not a war, it’s genocide\u201d and \u201cFreedom for Palestine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Towards the end of the race, a tree was seen toppled along the cyclists\u2019 route, and Spaniards entered the course near the finish line, continuing their demonstrations.<\/p>\n
“Due to a protest that obstructed the race, today\u2019s stage will be concluded 8 kilometers before the finish line, and both the stage winner and general classification standings will be determined at that point,” said La Vuelta General Director Javier Guillen.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 3, the 11th stage of La Vuelta in the city of Bilbao was also ended 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) early for security reasons due to intense protests supporting Palestine and opposing Israel.<\/p>\n
Two days ago, during the start of Stage 15, which also passed through Galicia, a protester entered the course and caused two cyclists \u2013 Spaniard Javier Romo and Belgian Edward Planckaert \u2013 to crash. Pro-Palestinian activists also hacked into a live broadcast radio station covering the race and played music instead.<\/p>\n
Ten people were reportedly detained during the Stage 15 protests on charges of disturbing public order.<\/p>\n
Marked by anti-Israel protests, La Vuelta is set to conclude on Sept. 14 in Madrid.<\/p>\n
Civil society organizations supporting Palestine are expected to stage even larger protests during the final stage.<\/p>\n
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, whose government enacted a nine-point sanctions package against Israel on Monday, publicly stated his support for excluding the Israeli team from the race. <\/p>\n
Youth and Children\u2019s Minister Sira Rego also defended the ongoing anti-Israel demonstrations throughout the race.<\/p>\n
Under increasing pressure, the Israel-Premier Tech team removed the word “Israel” from the cyclists’ uniforms for security reasons.<\/p>\n