THE organisers of the Tour of Britain have been accused of “sanitising” Israel’s reputation through sport in allowing an Israeli team to take part.
The British leg of the race kicks off in Kelso on Tuesday morning but British Cycling is being urged to ban the Israel Premier-Tech (IPT) team from participating.
Campaign groups such as Show Israel the Red Card and Scottish Friends of Palestine – who are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to “Palestinian genocide” – also want to see the team banned from future events.
Pro-Palestine protests have been planned at each of the race locations, with the event running from Kelso to Felixstowe in Suffolk over six days.
IPT was founded in 2014, with former four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome its most famous member.
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Campaigners have claimed that millions of pounds has been invested in sports to help enhance Israel’s standing – known as “sportswashing” – amid its trial at the International Court of Justice amid allegations of genocide.
Gerry Coutts, from Scottish Friends of Palestine, said that just as Russia has been banned from sporting events for its invasion of Ukraine, the same pressure should be applied to Israel.
He said: “The IPT is co-owned by billionaire Zionist Sylvan Adams. He has ploughed millions into sports and other ventures to help sanitise the reputation of Israel across the world. He is also a key investor in the IDF, Israel’s occupation force.
"In a recent interview with i24News, in reference to Gaza, Sylvan Adams said ‘the IDF needs to finish the job’ and that it needs to ‘mop up in Gaza’ showing a complete disregard for Israel’s war crimes and the unimaginable suffering and loss of life inflicted on occupied Palestinians.”
Adams – who grew up in Montreal in a Zionist home – previously told the Jerusalem Post regarding IPT’s participation in the Tour de France: “The best way to answer the haters is through our performance and presence."
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Maree Shepherd of Show Israel the Red Card, a campaign calling for Israel to be suspended from world sports, added: “There can be no business as usual if you choose to ignore the plight of Palestinians and partner with the perpetrating occupying regime, Israel, as it carries on with the wholesale destruction of every aspect of Palestinian life.
“From football to the Olympics and now cycling, we are sick of our beloved sports being tainted by the inclusion of Israeli teams, many of whom serve in the Israeli army and facilitate the abuse of Palestinians through the decades-long military occupation and war.
“Israel can no longer get away with committing atrocity after atrocity. Neither can anyone who attempts to sportswash it.”
Earlier this year the IPT team removed any explicit mention of Israel from team vehicles as a “precautionary measure” but the team said it continues to “race proudly” as IPT with Israel branding on the racing kit.
In January, Froome appeared in a video posted on social media by Israel’s Foreign Ministry and the official state of Israel to promote a cycling event to support Gaza hostages. His involvement drew criticism, with some accusing him of sportswashing.
British Cycling has been approached for comment.
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