Don’t Pedal for Israeli Crimes: Tell Giro d’Italia to Steer Clear of Apartheid

To the attention of:
Urbano Cairo, Chairman, RCS Mediagroup
Riccardo Taranto, Chairman RCS Sport
Mauro Vegni, Director, Giro d’Italia

We are deeply concerned over announced plans to start the 2018 edition of the Giro d’Italia from Israel. Despite your attempts to avoid “sensitive areas,” holding the race anywhere under Israeli control involves the Giro d’Italia in Israeli violations of international law.

By starting the race in Jerusalem, the Giro d’Italia will become part of Israel’s ongoing process to institutionalize its illegal hold on the occupied city. UN General Assembly resolution 181 (1947) established Jerusalem as a corpus separatum under a special international regime and has repeatedly maintained that "any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal.” In 1967, Israel occupied East Jerusalem, unilaterally annexing it as part of its “united capital.” Despite repeated claims by Israeli ministers during the announcement ceremony, the world community does not recognize any part of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

In Southern Israel, where another stage of the race is planned, dozens of Palestinian Bedouin towns are refused recognition and basic services by Israel, and have been subjected to repeated demolitions, in the case of Al-Araqib over 100 times. Since 2010, Israel has revoked the citizenship of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Palestinian Bedouins for no reason, leaving them stateless.

These policies are part of Israel’s ongoing ethnic cleansing, which started 70 years ago with Israel’s establishment on the ruins of the Palestinian homeland and forced displacement of a majority of the indigenous Palestinians.

This is what Israel intends to ‘celebrate’ next year. The Giro d’Italia should have no part in it.

Just as it would have been unacceptable for the Giro d’Italia to start from apartheid South Africa in the 1980s, it is unacceptable to start the race anywhere under Israel’s control as it will only serve as a stamp of approval for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.

We urge RCS to respect international law and relocate the start of the race to another country. Please don’t afford Israel this “big political coup,” tarnishing one of Europe’s premier sporting events.

Sincerely,