Giro organizers say no clamp down on pro-Palestinian protests

Giro d’Italia organizers insisted on Thursday there would be no clamp down on pro-Palestinian protestors and that the three days of racing in Israel would be safe.

The Italian tour organizers had come in for some criticism when announcing they would start the race in Jerusalem followed by two more stages in Israel before the Giro returns to its homeland and Sicily.

But Daniel Benaim, head of the Giro’s local event organizers, said there was nothing to worry about, least of all potential terror attacks.

“I think you can really feel and know that you are [in a] safe country, this is what we wanted to show,” he says. “We are hosting sports events in Israel, this is the most democratic, safest country that can host such a safe event.”

As for any potential pro-Palestinian expression voiced by riders during the race, Giro director Mauro Vegni says there would be no curbs enforced on anyone.

“When we decided to start from Israel it was obvious there would be different points of view to ours,” says Vegni. “We came to Israel — and I’ve repeated this every time — to organize a great sports event.”

— AFP