Spain’s foreign minister said he would support expelling Israel-Premier Tech from the Vuelta a España after the Israeli cycling team was targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators who disrupted the race.

In addition to the incident at the Vuelta a España, a Spanish chess tournament this week reportedly forbade Israeli players from competing under their national flag, before reversing their decision, underscoring the growing international hostility to Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas.

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

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Thursday that he would “understand and be in favor” of removing Israel-Premier Tech from the Vuelta a España, but stressed the government does not claim to have the power to do so.

“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 in response to a journalist’s question.

Spain is a long-time critic of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Speaking in the Spanish parliament in May, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Israel a “genocidal state,” drawing a furious rebuke from Jerusalem.

Wednesday’s protest in the northern city of Bilbao saw chaotic scenes, with 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.

“The management and especially the riders are afraid. They are exposed on their bikes and we don’t know what might happen,” said Eric Van Lancker, one of Israel-Premier Tech’s two sporting directors.

Italian rider Simone Petilli, who rides for the Intermarche-Circus-Wanty team, crashed Tuesday after encountering one protest.

“We are afraid. We are being subjected to insults and all kinds of verbal attacks, it’s hard,” the team’s other sporting director, Spaniard Oscar Guerrero, told Onda Cero radio.

The team has enhanced security protection during races and has long asked its riders not to wear jerseys bearing the word “Israel” while training to avoid being targeted.

“I imagine that some of our riders are thinking of withdrawing, and if that were the case, the team would not prevent them from doing so,” Van Lancker, a Belgian who is not at the race but is in contact with his colleagues, told the Flemish media outlet De Ochtend.

Race officials called off Wednesday’s stage about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the end of the circular route out of and into Bilbao, with no stage winner declared.

In response, 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 as there was a risk of more protests if the team continues racing.

“At some point someone will have to decide if we protect an international event like the Vuelta, or if we protect a team,” Garcia said, adding that he hopes “the Israeli team realizes that by being here it doesn’t help the safety of everyone else.”

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 that the Vuelta had told the UCI about the possibility of protests against Israel-Premier Tech before the race began.

UCI condemned the incident, saying that “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 Friday to comment on the Spanish minister’s comments when asked by the Associated Press.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message of support to the Israeli cycling team on Friday.

“Great job to Sylvan [Adams] and Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hate and intimidation. You make Israel proud!” said the message on X.

Meanwhile, after initially informing Israeli players that they would not be able to compete under their national flag, a Spanish chess tournament reversed course and will now allow the Israeli flag to be raised, Channel 12 reported on Friday.

Hebrew media outlets said organizers of next week’s competition sent a letter to the seven Israelis set to participate, claiming the decision was made due to “reasons beyond our control” that they did not detail.

“This step was agreed upon by both the chief arbiter of the competition and the Spanish Chess Federation,” the letter reportedly says. “The FIDE flag will appear both on the official draw lists and on the players’ posters.”

Israeli players called on the FIDE to intervene, according to the reports.

FIDE later said it was not involved in and had not been consulted about the decision, and that it “strongly condemns any form of discrimination, including on the basis of nationality and flag.”

“The same rules apply to Israel and its players as to all other member federations that are not under any form of sanctions,” the organization added.

Channel 12 reporter Elad Simchayoff posted a copy of an email, appearing to be from the director of the tournament, saying the decision was reversed.

“In the last few hours, we have consulted with institutions and companies that support us in the Open,” wrote Miguel Angel Del Olmo Alonso. “The decision has been made to reinstate your country’s flag on both Info64 and Chess Results. The Israeli flag is going to be raised. The players will be notified.”

However, the email also ambiguously referenced the recent disruptions at the Vuelta a España.

“But we must also highlight what happened at the Vuelta a España cycling tour in Bilbao. A very adverse atmosphere,” the email said. “Our club cannot guarantee safety measures that differ from those of the other players.”

The organizers of the Bilbao Sestao Basque Country tournament, which starts next week, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Reuters contributed to this report.