A man protesting Israel’s presence in the Tour de France was swiftly and forcefully removed from the course by a security guard just 100 feet from the finish line of the 11th stage. The incident occurred as Norway’s Jonas Abrahamsen surged ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid in a tight race to the finish.
The protester, waving a keffiyeh and wearing a shirt reading “Israel Out of the Tour,” breached the race barrier in a last-minute attempt to disrupt the event. Without hesitation, a security guard intercepted him, shoved him against the crowd barrier, and physically flipped him back into the crowd area. The guard’s quick reaction ensured the competitors remained unhindered during the critical stage finish.
According to the New York Post, the Israeli Premier Tech Team, the subject of the protest, is registered in Israel but has no Israeli riders in this year’s race. The protest appears to have been sparked by broader calls from anti-Israel activists earlier in the year.
The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement had urged supporters to stage “peaceful” disruptions during races featuring the Israeli-registered team. In a statement, the group labeled the team “Team Genocide” and encouraged action during major cycling events such as the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España.
Despite the protest, the Tour continued without interruption. The race, now entering its final 10 stages, is set to conclude in Paris on July 27, finishing on the Champs-Élysées. The incident highlights ongoing political tensions that have spilled into international sports and the continued push by activist groups to make their presence known at global events.
