Pro-Palestine protest halts Spain cycling finale in Madrid

Pro-Palestine demonstrators disrupted the final stage of Spain’s premier cycling race in Madrid, forcing an early halt after clashes erupted with riot police.

The protest targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over Israel’s war on Gaza. Tensions escalated when crowds toppled barriers and poured onto the route during the closing stretch of the tour.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earlier praised those protesting, saying he felt “admiration for the Spanish people mobilising for just causes like Palestine.”

Madrid’s Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida accused Sanchez of “instigating the protests.”