Spain’s Sanchez says pro-Palestine protests bring him ‘pride’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says he feels “pride” over the pro-Palestine demonstrations that have disrupted the Vuelta a Espana cycling race.

The protests, aimed at the Israel-Premier Tech team over the war in Gaza, have interrupted several stages of the 21-day tour and raised questions over whether the race could be completed.

In his first public remarks on the actions, Sanchez expressed “recognition and full respect for the athletes, but also our admiration for a people like Spain’s which mobilises for just causes, like Palestine”.

“Spain today shines as an example and as a source of pride, an example to an international community where it sees Spain taking a step forward in the defence of human rights,” he told a Socialist Party rally in Malaga.

Authorities have deployed 1,100 police officers in Madrid for today’s final stage.