Spanish prime minister praises Pro-Palestinian protests during vuelta cycling race
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his “admiration” on Sunday for the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have repeatedly disrupted the Vuelta a España cycling race. The three-week event, which concludes in Madrid under tight security, has faced near-daily protests targeting the Israel-Premier Tech team amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Speaking at a rally in Málaga, Sánchez emphasized his support for citizens who mobilize in favor of what he described as “just causes,” highlighting the Palestinian cause in particular. He praised the Spanish people for showing solidarity and said he was proud of Spain “shining as an example” in defending human rights internationally.
The socialist leader, one of the most outspoken critics in Europe of Israel’s military operations in Gaza—described by him as “barbarism”—has previously recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024 and announced measures such as an arms embargo on Israel, which strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Protests along the Vuelta route forced organizers to shorten several stages in cities including Bilbao, Pontevedra, and Valladolid. Despite tensions, the race is set to finish in Madrid on Sunday with enhanced police protection.
Authorities announced the deployment of an additional 1,500 officers over the weekend to balance both the safety of the cyclists and citizens’ right to protest. On Sunday alone, some 1,100 national police officers will patrol Madrid, marking the largest security operation since the NATO summit in the capital in 2022.
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