Barcelona authorities insist that teams representing Israel should not be allowed to participate in the 2026 Tour de France. Although the start of the renowned cycling race is still scheduled to take place in the Catalan capital, there is ongoing discussion about imposing restrictions on athletes competing under the Israeli flag. This move comes in response to the escalation of the conflict in Gaza, which has sparked outrage among local politicians and the public.
The city’s sports councilor emphasized that the issue is not about cancelling the event itself. Barcelona is ready to host the race, but demands that international sports organizations reconsider the participation of Israeli teams. Similar measures have already been applied to Russian athletes, and now Catalan authorities believe a similar approach is necessary regarding Israel. The issue goes beyond cycling and affects a broader range of international competitions.
The debate has intensified amid recent statements by the International Cycling Union, which expressed concern over Spain’s ability to organize major sporting events after protests led to the cancellation of the final stage of the Vuelta in Madrid. The mayor of Barcelona supported the central government’s stance, condemning the actions of the Israeli authorities in Gaza and stressing the importance of concrete measures being taken.
Last year, the city’s mayor faced backlash from Israel: his visa was revoked after Barcelona severed official ties with the Israeli government. He later traveled to Jordan, where he reviewed humanitarian projects implemented in partnership with UNRWA, and announced the creation of a special program to support Palestinian cities.
The municipal group “Comunes” also called for Israel to be excluded from the Tour de France, insisting that sport cannot be used to justify war crimes. The group’s leader urged city authorities to seek the disqualification of the Israel-Premier Tech team, emphasizing that neutrality is impossible in such matters.
