The team faced protests in the Vuelta a Espana race in Spain last month, with the final stage of the race cut short.
The Israel Premier Tech cycling team announced on Thursday its withdrawal from three races scheduled for next week in Italy, due to concerns over possible protests against its participation.
“In light of security concerns, Israel-Premier Tech will no longer be racing Coppa Bernocchi, Tre Valli Varesine or Gran Piemonte next week,” the team said in a statement, according to the cycling news platform, Velo.
Israel-Premier Tech has been barred from participating in the upcoming Giro dell’Emilia cycling race in Italy due to Gaza war protest concerns, organizers announced on Saturday.
The decision follows recent disruptions at the Vuelta a España, where pro-Palestinian protesters… pic.twitter.com/4Gjk0i6OuT
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 28, 2025
The withdrawal includes the Coppa Bernucci races in Langnano, the Tre Valle Varese race in Varese, and the Giro del Piemonte race in the Piedmont region, scheduled for next Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
The decision comes amid growing protests across Italy and other European countries against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and, most recently, the abduction of the Global Sumud Flotilla activists in international waters this week.
‘Would be Hypocritical’
Last week, the Israeli cycling team was excluded from the Giro dell’Emilia race in Bologna, Italy, for the same reason, Al Jazeera Arabic reported.
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Bologna City Council’s sports commissioner, Roberta di Calzi, was quoted by Haaretz as saying that, “Given the situation in Gaza, it would be hypocritical for us to allow a team linked to this government to participate.”
“We are glad the race organizers agree with us. I thank them for being sensitive to the feelings of the city’s residents, many of whom I believe share this view,” he added.
Protests during Spanish Race
The team faced protests in the Vuelta a Espana race in Spain last month, with the final stage of the race cut short.
There have been growing calls in recent weeks for the suspension of Israel from international sports.
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The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has accused Israel of committing “sporticide,” citing the bombing and destruction of Palestinian stadiums and sports facilities, and the routine denial of freedom of movement to Palestinian athletes.
Ongoing Genocide
Since reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, Israel has continued its bloody aerial bombardment across the Gaza Strip, killing and wounding thousands of Palestinians.
Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 66,000 Palestinians, with more than 168,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
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In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.
Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.
(PC, AJA)
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