During Stage 11 of the Tour de France in Toulouse, a protester attempting to disrupt the race by shouting anti-Israel messages and carrying a keffiyeh was swiftly apprehended by security forces. The incident occurred as the race approached the finish line, with a guard intercepting the individual just 25 meters away, tackling him and throwing him back into the crowd.
The protester, whose shirt read ‘Israel out of the Tour,’ had leaped a barricade, sparking a brief confrontation that led to his removal from the track. Video footage of the event circulated online, revealing the man’s identification with the Palestinian cause with his attire and slogans.
According to reports, the security forces acted quickly to ensure the safety of the race participants and spectators. The dramatic moment unfolded amid heightened tensions around the Tour de France, which has become a focal point for international political debates regarding Israel’s participation.
The protest occurred after the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement labeled the Israel Premier-Tech team ‘Team Genocide,’ prompting calls for non-violent demonstrations at major cycling events. The group’s statement on its website called for ‘ensuring the roads are closed to perpetrators of genocide,’ a reference to the ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
While the Tour de France, consisting of 21 stages, will conclude July 27 along the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the incident highlights the intersection of sports and political activism. Fox News Digital attempted to contact the Tour de France for comment but received no immediate response, leaving the event’s stance on the matter unclear.