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The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team have been excluded from next month’s Giro dell’Emilia in Bologna over public safety concerns.<\/b><\/p>\n
The decision follows disruption at the Vuelta a Espana this month, where the team were targeted by pro-Palestinian protests opposing Israel’s war in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The event in Spain was affected by several incidents, with the final stage being abandoned after protesters entered part of the course<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are fears the race in Italy on 4 October could be affected by similar disruptions after pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police in Milan on Monday during a nationwide strike called by trade unions against Israel’s conduct in Gaza.<\/p>\n “Israel-Premier Tech has been informed that our invitation to the Giro dell’Emilia has been withdrawn,” said the cycling team.<\/p>\n “The organisers have cited security concerns linked to planned protests that threatened to disrupt the race. We find it extremely regrettable that threats of violence have disrupted our sport.”<\/p>\n Race organiser Adriano Amici added that the decision to exclude Israel-Premier Tech has been made “for the safety of all athletes, technical staff and spectators”.<\/p>\n The Giro dell’Emilia is the traditional autumn race in Bologna finishing near the city’s historic centre, which has a large student population and a long history of left-wing politics. <\/p>\n In recent days, various groups in Bologna have announced potential protests and attempts to halt the race.<\/p>\n On Friday, world cycling governing body the UCI said it will continue to welcome Israeli athletes at its competitions despite calls for sporting boycotts.<\/p>\n This week the Israel-Premier Tech squad’s title sponsor urged the team to drop the word ‘Israel’ from their name<\/a>.<\/p>\n The team, whose five British riders include four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, is Israeli registered and owned by Israeli-Canadian property billionaire Sylvan Adams.<\/p>\n After the United Nations commission of inquiry formally declared Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza – a claim Israel denies – there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended<\/a> from international football competition.<\/p>\n The BBC has been told by a senior figure at one football federation that many nations are pushing for a vote on whether to throw Israel out of European football, and that the leadership of governing body Uefa wants to act.<\/p>\n The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.<\/p>\n At least 65,549 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n