Pro-Palestinian protests disrupt Spain’s Vuelta cycling race

Protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza have repeatedly disrupted Spain’s prestigious Vuelta a España cycling race, turning the sporting event into a global flashpoint for political dissent — and triggering a sharp diplomatic rift between Madrid and Tel Aviv. Over the past 10 days, hundreds of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags have lined the race route — including in small towns like Rosana Prieto’s village in northwestern Spain — deliberately positioning themselves to capture the attention of international television audiences. In one alarming incident, a protester came so close to the peloton that several cyclists crashed, though no members of the Israeli-owned team, Israel Premier Tech, were injured. Five stages have been interrupted or shortened, and more than 20 protesters...