Spanish prime minister calls for international sporting ban on Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for Israel to be banned from international sporting contests.

“Our position is clear and categorical: As long as barbarity continues, neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any international competition,” Sanchez said on Monday. 

A day earlier, pro-Palestine protesters in Madrid forced the cancellation of the final stage of Spain's Vuelta a Espana cycling race to be abandoned. The protests were against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team.

Sanchez said that he had “deep admiration” for the protesters in Madrid.