Israeli team out of top Italian cycling race over Gaza war protest concerns
Briefly

Israeli team out of top Italian cycling race over Gaza war protest concerns
"It is with regret that, following recent events and given the characteristics of the final circuit, for the safety of all athletes, technical staff, and spectators, I have had to forgo the participation of the Team this year, said Adriano Amici, organiser of the one-day Giro dell'Emilia, which will take place on October 4, finishing in Bologna. We had to make this decision for reasons of public security, Amici told the Reuters news agency."
"The decision announced on Saturday comes after the recent Vuelta a Espana cycling race suffered several disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters who took to the streets of the Spanish capital, Madrid, to block the participation of Israel-Premier Tech, forcing the cancellation of the race's final stage. Calls for Israel to be excluded from global sporting events, festivals and music competitions have been growing since the country's invasion of Gaza, which has killed almost 66,000 Palestinians, in an operation the United Nations has described as a genocide."
Organisers of the Giro dell'Emilia excluded the Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, citing public safety concerns and a high risk of race disruption. The decision followed disruptions at the Vuelta a Espana where pro-Palestinian protesters blocked Israel-Premier Tech and forced cancellation of the final stage. Calls to exclude Israel from international sporting and cultural events have increased since its invasion of Gaza, which has killed almost 66,000 Palestinians and has been described by the United Nations as a genocide. Organisers cited the race's five-lap final circuit and potential danger to riders, staff and spectators as the reason for exclusion.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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