Israeli team excluded from cycling race for ‘security reasons’
Israel-Premier Tech have been excluded from the Giro dell’Emilia cycling race on October 4 in Italy for safety reasons, the organisers told the AFP news agency.
Adriano Amici, president of GS Emilia – which organises the one-day race, said the team “will unfortunately not be present at our race … We had to make this decision for reasons of public security”.
“There’s too much danger for both the Israel Tech riders and others. The race’s final circuit is run five times so the possibility of the race being disrupted is very high. “It’s a decision I regret having to make from a sporting perspective, but I had no other choice for public safety.”
The Giro dell’Emilia, whose 2024 edition was won by cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar, will cover 199km (123.7 miles) from Mirandola to Bologna in northern Italy.
Captives’ families slam Netanyahu’s UN speech
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of Israeli captives, accused PM Netanyahu of offering “words without action” during his address at the UN General Assembly.
It said 48 captives remain held in Gaza after 721 days and warned that Netanyahu’s pledge to “finish the job” in the enclave puts their lives at greater risk.
The families noted that, unlike Netanyahu, President Trump has called for an immediate halt to the war and the release of all captives. They expressed outrage that Netanyahu read aloud only the names of living hostages, saying this erased those who have been killed.
“There are 48 hostages in Gaza, not 20,” the group said, urging Israel’s government to “honour the will of the people” and reach a deal to bring the captives home, warning that every day of war “squanders every opportunity” for their release.
