Madrid (AFP) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Monday for Israel to be barred from international sport over the Gaza war, as it emerged his government had also cancelled an $825 million military contract with the country.
Sanchez expressed “deep admiration” for thousands of protesters who forced the halt of the final stage of the Vuelta a Espana, one of the world’s biggest cycling races, in Spain on Sunday.
He said Israel should be penalised just as Russia was over its invasion of Ukraine – angering Israel, which had a team in the race, as well as Spanish conservatives.
“Our position is clear and categorical: as long as the barbarity continues, neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any international competition,” said Sanchez.
The Spanish leader has become one of Europe’s fiercest critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, where the UN says Palestinians face starvation.
“Sports organizations should ask themselves whether it’s ethical for Israel to continue competing internationally,” said Sanchez.
“Why was Russia expelled after invading Ukraine, yet Israel faces no expulsion after invading Gaza?”
An official document seen Monday by AFP meanwhile showed the Spanish government had cancelled a contract worth nearly 700 million euros ($825 million) for Israeli-designed rocket launchers.
Last week Sanchez’s government announced measures aimed at stopping what it called “the genocide in Gaza”.