Spectators welcome Israeli cyclists with Palestinian flags during Spain race

In a bold display of solidarity, spectators at the 2024 Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa cycling race in Spain welcomed Israeli cyclists with Palestinian flags.

The move was a powerful statement against Israel's intensified military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in devastating consequences for the Palestinian people.

The 2024 Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa one-day cycling race took place on August 10, in which twenty-five teams including all 18 UCI WorldTeams and 7 UCI ProTeams participated.

However, the Israeli team's participation was met with a strong message of protest from the spectators.

⚡️JUST IN:

The Israeli cycling team was met with Palestinian flags during the Donostia Klasikoa road cycling race in San Sebastián, Spain.
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Earlier on May 28, Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced recognising Palestine as an independent state.

Following the decision, Spain joined the more than 140 countries that already recognised Palestine. 

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with almost 39,700 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,700 injured since October 7, 2023. 

The Israeli war has left vast tracts of Gaza in ruins, with a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Earlier, the International Court of Justice had also ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before it was invaded on May 6. 

Israel stands accused of genocide, and the international community continues to call for an end to the violence.