Israeli Team Excluded From Italian Cycling Race Due to Fears of Gaza Genocide Protests

Rome (QNN)- The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team has been excluded from Italy’s upcoming Giro dell’Emilia competition due to fears of protests over the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Race organizers announced the decision on Saturday after the recent Vuelta a Espana cycling race suffered several disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters who took to the streets of the Spanish capital, Madrid, to block the participation of Israel-Premier Tech, forcing the cancellation of the race’s final stage.

“It is with regret that, following recent events and given the characteristics of the final circuit, for the safety of all athletes, technical staff, and spectators, I have had to forgo the participation of the Team this year,” race organizer president Adriano Amici told Reuters.

Last week, a UN Commission of Inquiry said in a report that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, and human rights experts and fans have called for Israel’s suspension from international football over the assault in Gaza where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed amid Israeli-made famine.

UEFA is moving towards a vote on whether to suspend Israel, whose men’s football team is in the middle of attempting to qualify for next year’s World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Both FIFA and UEFA have been slammed for the apparent double standard of Israel’s treatment and that of Russia, whose national team was banned in 2022 following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Also on Friday, a coalition of 48 high-profile professional athletes called on UEFA to suspend Israel from all football competitions over its assault on Palestinians in Gaza.

France midfielder Paul Pogba and English cricketer Moeen Ali were among 48 signatories to a statement calling for Israel’s suspension, published under the banner of Athletes 4 Peace.

“As professional athletes of diverse backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs, we believe sport must uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and humanity,” read the statement.

“We, the signatories of Athletes 4 Peace, call upon UEFA to immediately suspend Israel from all competitions until it complies with international law and ends its killing of civilians and the widespread starvation,” the athletes added.