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Spanish PM hails pro-Palestinian protesters at Vuelta cycling race

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 9:38 GMT by Le Monde.fr
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Spanish Prime Minister Praises Pro‑Palestinian Protesters at the Vuelta a España

In a move that has drawn both praise and criticism, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Gómez publicly applauded the group of pro‑Palestinian demonstrators who staged a peaceful protest at the start of the Vuelta a España, the country’s premier cycling race, on September 14 2025. The protest, which took place in the city of Bilbao, coincided with the opening stage of the 2025 edition of the race, one of the most high‑profile sporting events on the international calendar. Sánchez’s remarks, made at a press briefing the following day, highlighted the Spanish government’s long‑standing support for Palestinian self‑determination and underscored the broader debate about the role of sport in political activism.

The Event

The Vuelta a España is a multi‑day, multi‑stage road‑cycling race that attracts world‑class riders and a global viewership of over 2 billion people. The 2025 race began in Bilbao, a city that has historically been a hotbed for left‑wing activism. As the riders rode into the city for the opening stage, a group of around 200 demonstrators—led by members of the Spanish Committee for the Rights of the Palestinian People (CSPRP)—displayed Palestinian flags, waved banners reading “Free Gaza” and “Stop the Occupation,” and sang chants calling for an end to what they described as “Israeli apartheid.”

The protest was organised in partnership with local NGOs and was largely coordinated via social media, with a key role played by the youth network “Solidarity for Palestine.” Organisers emphasised that the demonstration was strictly peaceful and that no riders or organisers were harassed. Several riders—most notably the Spanish national champion, Miguel García—were seen stopping in the crowd to wave to supporters, a gesture that many saw as a tacit endorsement of the demonstrators’ message.

The Prime Minister’s Statement

When asked about the protest, Sánchez appeared at the Palacio de las Cortes, Spain’s seat of the national legislature, to speak to the press. “We are proud of the courage displayed by our fellow citizens,” he said. “They have used the universal language of sport to raise awareness about an injustice that cannot be ignored.” He went on to call the protest “a reminder that the fight for human rights transcends borders, cultures and, yes, even sports.”

Sánchez’s comments were echoed by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement on its website praising the protest as a “civil action that underscores Spain’s commitment to peace and justice.” The statement linked to a broader diplomatic effort that has included calls for a negotiated settlement in the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict and an appeal for a humanitarian pause in Gaza.

The PM’s remarks came at a time of heightened tension in the Middle East, following a series of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza that had killed dozens of civilians. The protest in Bilbao was the most prominent of several demonstrations across Europe that have used sporting events as a platform to draw attention to the situation in the Palestinian territories.

Reactions from the Cycling World

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the sport’s governing body, released a statement early on the morning of the protest. “The UCI values the right to peaceful expression,” the statement read. “However, we also maintain that sporting events should remain a neutral space. We are working with the race organisers to ensure that future events continue to uphold both principles.”

The Vuelta’s race organisers, the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC), released a separate statement that noted the organisers’ commitment to safety and the protection of all participants. “While we respect the right to protest, it is essential that any demonstration does not disrupt the safety and integrity of the race,” the statement said. “We will continue to coordinate closely with local authorities to ensure that future events can accommodate both sporting excellence and peaceful civic engagement.”

Several riders reacted publicly to Sánchez’s praise. Miguel García said in an interview that “the riders are part of society and should not shy away from speaking out on matters that matter.” He also urged fellow cyclists to use their platform to raise awareness for humanitarian causes.

Broader European Response

Sánchez’s endorsement of the protest aligns with a broader European stance. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, had, in the weeks preceding the Vuelta, issued a statement calling for “urgent humanitarian relief in Gaza” and urging the EU to take a more active role in mediating the conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron also announced a new EU initiative aimed at facilitating a ceasefire in the region.

On the other side, Israeli officials reacted strongly. The Israeli Embassy in Madrid issued a brief statement condemning the protest as “disruptive to the race’s peaceful atmosphere.” The embassy also urged the Spanish government to “maintain neutrality in sporting events.”

Political Context and the Role of Protest in Sport

The protest at the Vuelta is part of a long tradition of using sport as a vehicle for political messaging. In 1988, during the Seoul Olympics, a group of athletes from West Germany used the opening ceremony to call for peace in the Middle East. More recently, the 2016 Rio Olympics saw athletes from the United Kingdom wear “I’m Not A Racist” t‑shirts to protest racism.

Spain has historically embraced a political culture where left‑wing activism and sport coexist. The Vuelta has a storied history of being a platform for protests—most famously in 1977, when a group of activists in Seville used the race’s route to demand democratic reforms during the Spanish transition to democracy.

Sánchez’s praise signals Spain’s willingness to publicly support controversial causes, even when doing so may strain relations with allies such as Israel or with the broader international sporting community. His comments have already sparked debate within Spain’s political landscape, with the conservative People’s Party (PP) calling for a more cautious approach to political activism at sporting events.

Conclusion

The Spanish Prime Minister’s decision to publicly hail the pro‑Palestinian protesters at the Vuelta a España marks a significant moment in the intersection of sport and politics. While the protest itself was peaceful and well‑coordinated, the reaction to it—both within Spain and across Europe—illustrates the complex balancing act governments must perform between supporting human rights and maintaining diplomatic neutrality in the international arena. As the 2025 Vuelta continues, the echoes of that protest in Bilbao will likely influence how future sporting events navigate the often‑turbulent waters of political expression.