"Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proposes exclusion of Israel from global sports competitions"
In a dramatic turn of events, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for Israel's ban from participating in international sports news events, following a controversial incident at the Vuelta a España cycling race.
The proposal, made during a meeting of Socialist Party lawmakers in the Spanish parliament, comes three weeks after UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin expressed his opposition to such a ban. Sánchez's statement was in response to pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the Israel-Premier Tech team's participation in the prestigious three-week race.
The controversy over Sánchez's support for these protesters and Israel's participation in sports events has escalated diplomatically, with the prime minister's statement coming amid an escalating diplomatic furor with Israel. Spain's Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has suggested that the country's public broadcaster should boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is permitted to compete.
However, Sánchez's statements have not been without criticism. Conservative opposition leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoó has criticised Sánchez for potentially putting "the lives of police officers and the safety of the cyclists" at risk by publicly expressing support for the demonstrators.
Sánchez's social media post also labelled Israel's government as "antisemites" and "enemies of the truth." In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Sánchez and his government of "inciting" the "mobs" and being an "embarrassment."
It is important to note that Israel was last excluded from international sports events notably during the 1970s and 1980s due to political pressures related to its conflicts, particularly with some Middle Eastern countries. However, there is no record of a recent, formal international sports exclusion due to its conflicts with Gaza. Major international sports organizations maintain a policy of neutrality, separating sports from political disputes, and continue to allow Israeli participation.
Sánchez has maintained that he "always rejects violence" and has "profound admiration and respect for our athletes." Despite the ongoing controversy, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming weeks.
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