The sports world unites against Israel

Ozgur Celikturk

The sports world continues to raise its voice against Israel . In Spain, a leading country imposing sanctions on the genocidal state, the Supreme Council of Sport (CSD), under the Ministry of Education and Sports, accused the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) of "whitewashing the Gaza genocide" by allowing the Israeli team to participate in La Vuelta cycling events.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a statement on September 15, stated that he was "proud of the Spanish people and that Spain had saved the honor of Europe" due to the peaceful anti-Israel demonstrations held during La Vuelta, and added, "Neither Russia nor Israel should participate in any competition until the barbarism ends. Why was Russia excluded from sporting events after the invasion of Ukraine, but why was Israel not expelled after the invasion of Gaza?"

FINANCIAL AID FROM NORWAY

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) also announced that the proceeds from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Israel will be donated to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an organization providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. NFF President Lise Klaveness said, “We have the chance to qualify for the World Cup after 26 years. However, this match comes at a time of severe humanitarian suffering and deep-seated conflict in the Middle East. We cannot remain indifferent to the humanitarian suffering in the region, especially the disproportionate attacks on civilians in Gaza. We want to donate the proceeds from the match to Doctors Without Borders, an organization that saves lives and provides active aid on the ground every day.”