search
Regev, Levin: In Israel's capital, there is no east or west

Ministers threaten major Italian bike race over Jerusalem wording

Excitement over largest sporting event ever to be held in Israel wears off as government says it will pull support if organizers use term ‘west Jerusalem’

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (left), Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (on bicycle in middle) and Sports and Culture Minister Miri Regev, with Giro d'Italia organizers and winners celebrating the announcement of the 2018 Giro d'Italia bike race, whose 'Big Start' will take place in Israel in May 2018 (Courtesy 'Big Start')
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (left), Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (on bicycle in middle) and Sports and Culture Minister Miri Regev, with Giro d'Italia organizers and winners celebrating the announcement of the 2018 Giro d'Italia bike race, whose 'Big Start' will take place in Israel in May 2018 (Courtesy 'Big Start')

Israeli officials threatened Wednesday to drop their partnership in the first stage of the Giro d’Italia after organizers of the prestigious cycling event referred to the start of the race as in “west Jerusalem.”

The first day of the 101st edition of the Italian race, set for May 4, 2018, will take place in the western sector of Jerusalem, the first time the race starts outside of Europe, in a major coup for Israel.

In the Giro’s Wednesday announcement of the routes, organizers noted the race would begin with a time-trial in “west Jerusalem.”

Israel’s ambassador in Italy, Ofer Sachs, left, and the Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi pose with the trophy of the Giro d’Italia during the presentation of the 2018 Tour of Italy (101st Giro d’Italia) cycling race, on November 29, 2017 in Milan. (AFP/MARCO BERTORELLO)

Organizers have tried to steer clear of politics in creating the route, and said the race will not go through any land considered disputed by the international community. That means the course will circumvent the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Race director Mauro Vegni said he was aware of the political sensitivities and had drawn up the course with the “guidance” of the Italian Foreign Ministry.

“The reality is that we want it to be a sports event and stay away from any political discussion,” Vegni told The Associated Press.

Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six Day War and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community. It claims the entire city as its undivided capital.

The Palestinians want the eastern sector of the city to be the capital of their future state.

Sports Minister Miri Regev and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin said they threatened to back away from their partnership in the race, if the wording did not change.

“In Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, there is no east or west. There is one unified Jerusalem,” a joint statement read, calling the use of the term “a breach of the agreements with the Israeli government.”

“If the wording does not change, the Israeli government will not be a partner in the event,” they said in a statement.

Announcing the race last month, Israeli leaders and local race officials said they were thrilled to host the Giro, labeling it as the biggest and most prestigious sporting event ever held in Israel. They expect tens of thousands of tourists and cycling enthusiasts.

An illustrative photo of the 2012 Giro D’Italia. (CC, BY-SA Wikimedia)

Regev had called the race a symbol of “peace and unity.” The Sports Ministry said the Giro would promote Israel’s history, heritage, “magical views” and holy sites.

The Giro is one of cycling’s prestigious Grand Tour races, along with the Tour de France and the Spanish Vuelta. The race in Israel will mark the first time that any of the Grand Tour events is held outside of Europe.

Giro organizers declined to say how much its Israeli partners had paid to bring the race to Israel.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: [email protected]
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.