After Wednesday's eleventh stage of the Tour of Spain was interrupted due to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, several voices have been raised regarding the participation of the Israel Premier Tech team, which is sponsored by the state of Israel, in the competition.
One of them belongs to Spain's Foreign Minister, who says that he would "have understanding for and support" the exclusion of the Israeli team from the competition.
We must send a message to Israel and Israeli society that Europe and Israel can only have normal relations when human rights are respected, says José Manuel Albares to the Spanish radio channel RNE.
Israel Premier Tech, on the other hand, has no plans to withdraw from the competition.
"As a professional cycling team, it is our duty to continue competing in the Vuelta a España. Anything else would set a dangerous precedent for cycling, not just for Israel-Premier Tech, but for all teams", the team wrote in a statement on Wednesday.
The 13th stage of the competition is taking place on Friday.
