In response to the backtracking by Giro d’Italia organisers RCS Sport over the use of the term West Jerusalem during Wednesday’s route launch of the race (see above), Palestinian human rights complainers have expressed criticism. “By threatening to withdraw sponsorship of the race over references to “West Jerusalem,” Israel offered Giro d’Italia an “exit strategy” to end its complicity in Israel’s violations of international law and Palestinians’ human rights,” said Stephanie Adam of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel on Thursday.
“Giro d’Italia, instead, shamefully chose to bow to Israeli pressure and recognise Israel’s illegal annexation of occupied East Jerusalem, contravening international law and the Italian government’s own position. Giro d’Italia is reinforcing Israel’s illegal claim of sovereignty over the city of Jerusalem, when no country recognises Israel’s sovereignty over East Jerusalem nor any part of Jerusalem, East or West, as Israel’s capital.”
She said that the Giro was ‘complicit’ in covering up the actions of what she said was an oppressive government operating outside the rule of law. Adam also said that the Giro’s talk about keeping politics out of sport was “nothing more than lip service to deflect criticism for its acceptance of a large Israeli bribe in return for politicizing the race and using its name to whitewash human rights violations.”
Read the article by Shane Stokes on Cycling Tips.