The pro-Palestinian protest against Israel at the end of Stage 11 of the famed Spanish race showed that what failed through pressure has now succeeded through escalation. The organizers have already backed down, and the incident could set a precedent for Israeli sports

Protests at cycling races are not uncommon. The open nature of these events, held on public roads, makes them a natural stage for public demonstrations. Even the most prestigious race of them all – the Tour de France – is not immune. In fact, it's a frequent target for activists seeking visibility.

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