From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Anti-Israel protesters clash with police, interrupt final stage of Spanish Vuelta
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The final stage of the Vuelta a España has been abandoned because of huge pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests in Madrid.
Thousands of protesters gather in the Spanish capital, invading the course where the race was due to pass in the center of Madrid, AFP journalists witness.
On Gran Via, where cyclists are due to pass multiple times, protesters knock down barriers and march into the road, some chanting for a boycott of Israel, as green and red smoke fill the air.
Near Atocha, Madrid’s central train station, police charge demonstrators and fire tear gas, before letting them walk into the road.
Riders, around 56 kilometers (some 35 miles) from the finish of the race, come to a halt before the Vuelta is abandoned.
The race resumes briefly after riders are first told by race organizers to stop because of the protests, but they eventually stop again as authorities and organizers discuss the situation.
Protesters carrying Palestine flags jeer when the teams’ support cars pass by them along the route.
More than 1,500 police officers were deployed ahead of the last stage of the three-week long cycling race, which has been interrupted at multiple points by protesters opposed to the participation of the Israeli-owned Premier Tech team.
The Times of Israel Community.