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Israel Criticizes Spanish PM as Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Vuelta a España. Tensions between Israel and Spain escalated after pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the final stage of the Vuelta a España, forcing the race to end prematurely. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of “inciting” the pro-Palestinian mobs protesting the Israel-Premier Tech team. Sa’ar described the cancellation of the race as a national embarrassment for Spain and called Sánchez’s government “a disgrace.” The accusations refer in part to Sánchez’s Sept. 8 comments on Spain’s limited global influence, in which he noted Madrid lacks nuclear weapons and large military capabilities. Spain recognized Palestinian statehood last year and recently imposed a permanent weapons embargo on Israel, prompting Sa’ar to label Spain’s policies “antisemitic” and hostile. Protesters have repeatedly disrupted this year’s race, waving Palestinian flags and criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza with some Spanish officials expressing support for the demonstrations. Conservative politicians, including People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, condemned Sánchez for endorsing disruptive behavior and damaging Spain’s reputation. Sunday’s protests drew around 100,000 participants, resulting in clashes with police; two people were arrested and 22 officers were injured, according to Madrid authorities.
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