Spanish minister says Israeli cycling team should be expelled from Vuelta after protest

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s foreign minister has said he would support the expulsion of Israel Premier Tech from the Spanish Vuelta after the cycling team was targeted by a pro-Palestinian protest that disrupted the race.

Spain’s top diplomat, José Manuel Albares, said late Thursday he would “understand and be in favor” of the Israeli team being removed, while adding his government doesn’t have the power to do so. He made the statement in response to a question by a journalist on Spain’s national radio RNE.

“We have to send a message to Israel and the Israeli society that Europe and Israel can only have normal relations when human rights are respected,” Albares said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support of the team, which is owned by Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, in a message on X on Friday. He did not mention Albares’ comments.

“Great job to Sylvan and Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hate and intimidation. You make Israel proud,” Netanyahu wrote.

Wednesday’s protest in the northern city of Bilbao targeted Israel Premier Tech while Israel continues its military invasion into Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of civilians in retaliation for the Hamas attacks in October 2023.

The protest produced chaotic scenes of a crowd pushing against temporary metal barriers along the final kilometers of the course with police and security personnel holding them back. Many protestors carried Palestinian flags and pro-Palestinian signs.

Race officials called off the stage about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the end of the circular route out of and into Bilbao. There was no stage winner.

Immediately after the incident, Vuelta organizers issued a statement condemning the “events that took place" while also backing the right to peaceful protest.

“La Vuelta respects and defends the right to peaceful demonstration within the context of the event, but cannot tolerate any acts that put at risk the physical safety of the participants or any member of the race caravan,” the statement read.

Vuelta technical director Kiko Garcia, however, appeared to suggest that Israel Premier Tech should consider dropping out or for the UCI, cycling's governing body, to intervene, because there was a risk of more protests if it kept racing.

“At some point someone will have to decide if we protect an international event like the Vuelta, or if we protect a team,” García said.

“Everyone needs to try to find a solution, which for me right now is that the Israeli team realizes that by being here it doesn’t help the safety of everyone else. But we can’t make that decision, the team has to do it."

Israel Premier Tech, however, stated it was not pulling out.

“Any other course of action sets a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling — not only for Israel Premier Tech, but for all teams,” it said.

García also said the Vuelta warned the UCI about possible protests against Israel Premier Tech before the race.

UCI condemned the incident, saying “cycling in particular, has a role to play in bringing people together and overcoming barriers between them, and should under no circumstances be used as a tool for punishment.”

The UCI declined on Friday to comment on the minister's comments when asked by the Associated Press.

The Palestinian cause is backed by many Spaniards, including its left-wing government, which recognized a Palestinian state last year.

Thursday’s stage went as planned without any more protests.

But Friday's 13th stage in a rural, hilly area was briefly interrupted when a small group of protestors ran onto the narrow country road and impeded the three stage leaders — non of whom belonged to Israel Premier Tech — from advancing. Police removed them within seconds.

A small pro-Palestinian protest was also held before Friday’s stage that started in Cabezón de la Sal. It did not affect the riders.

Former Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard leads the three-week race.

The Grand Tour ends in Madrid on Sept. 14.

AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling

People holding Palestinian flags sit on the street after disrupting the eleventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race, from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

People hold Palestinian flags as they try to disrupt the eleventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race, from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Riders of the Israel Premier Tech team compete as people holding Palestinian flags try to disrupt the eleventh stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race, from Bilbao to Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw isn't done pitching just yet, agreeing Thursday to join the U.S. team for this year's World Baseball Classic.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues. He had a $20 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

“I was too broken for the insurance to cover my arm and everything,” Kershaw said on MLB Network, “so now that it doesn't matter I get to go and be a part of this group.”

A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.

“I just want to be the insurance policy,” Kershaw said. “If anybody needs a breather or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.”

Later Thursday, new Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman announced he will join the U.S. team.

When Kershaw received a call from U.S. manager Mark DeRosa, he thought he was being invited as a coach.

“I didn't have a whole lot of interest in picking up a baseball again," Kershaw said. “I started throwing 10, 12 days ago and it doesn’t feel terrible, so I think I’ll be OK.”

Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.

The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Britain, Italy and Mexico.

Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end Japan's 3-2 win in the 2023 championship. Kershaw doesn't anticipate facing Ohtani, his teammate for the Dodgers' World Series titles in 2024 and 2025.

“I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against team Japan in the finals or something. I think we got plenty of guys to get that guy out and not me,” Kershaw said. “But if that happens, I'll be nervous. I'll be nervous at this point.”

AP baseball: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates the end of the top of the 12th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of baseball's World Series, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)