“We Are Fighters, Am Yisrael Chai”: Calls Mount for Israel’s Premier to Quit Prestigious Race
Pro-Palestinian protests force stage 11 to be halted; race director questions Israeli team’s presence, while Israel Premier Tech vows to keep riding.
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An unprecedented incident disrupted stage 11 of the Vuelta a España in Bilbao, as pro-Palestinian protesters forced organizers to neutralize the race just three kilometers from the finish line. The stage concluded without a winner, a decision virtually unheard of in the history of the prestigious Grand Tour.
Vuelta race director Kiko García addressed Spanish media following the chaotic events, stating:
“Israel Premier Tech needs to understand that their presence here will not make things safer for the other riders. The continued participation of the Israeli team does not guarantee security for the peloton.”
His remarks were widely interpreted as a suggestion that Israel Premier Tech should reconsider its participation in the race. While García himself has no formal authority to expel a team, his comments amplified the mounting tension around the Israeli squad.
Sylvan Adams, owner of Israel Premier Tech, was quick to dismiss any notion of withdrawing.
“We cannot let the haters win. If we give in, no cycling team will ever be safe anywhere in the world. We are Israelis, we are fighters, Am Yisrael Chai.”
Adams emphasized that the team earned its place at the Vuelta through sporting merit and intends to complete the race despite the protests.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) issued a strongly worded statement condemning the actions that led to the cancellation of the stage. The governing body reaffirmed its commitment to political neutrality in sport, stressing that international competitions are meant to embody unity and dialogue, not division.
“The UCI underlines the importance of political neutrality within the Olympic movement and the unifying role of sport,” the statement read. “Events such as the Vuelta a España must never be exploited as instruments of punishment. Riders should be free to pursue their passion in conditions of safety and peace.”
Israel Premier Tech: Withdrawal Would Set Dangerous Precedent
In its own statement, Israel Premier Tech reiterated its determination to continue racing, arguing that capitulating under pressure would establish a troubling precedent not only for their team but for professional cycling as a whole.
“Any step to withdraw would send the wrong message and risk emboldening those who use intimidation and violence to disrupt sport,” the team said. “We respect the right to peaceful protest, but today’s actions endangered riders and denied Basque cycling fans the finish they deserved.”
The Bigger Picture: What began as a local protest in Bilbao has spiraled into an international flashpoint, placing Israel Premier Tech at the center of a storm that goes far beyond cycling. With the UCI, race organizers, and the team itself staking out sharply contrasting positions, the Vuelta’s spirit of competition has been overshadowed by political violence, and the coming stages will test not only the riders’ endurance, but the resilience of professional cycling itself.