Israel's Foreign Minister has accused the Spanish Prime Minister of "inciting" the "pro-Palestinian mobs" which interrupted a top cycling race.
In a post on social media, Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli politician, said the Pedro Sanchez had "encouraged demonstrators to take to the streets".
He added: "The pro-Palestinian mob heard the incitement messages - and wrecked the 'La Vuelta' cycling race.
"Thus, the sporting event that had always been a source of pride for Spain was cancelled."
The Israeli Foreign Minister accused the Spanish Prime Minister of 'inciting mobs' in a social media post
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The final stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race was abandoned after the protesters knocked down barriers and entered the course in the centre of Madrid.
This year's Vuelta had already been disrupted multiple times by people protesting against the Israel-Premier Tech team.
Jose Manuel Albares, the Spanish Foreign Minister, claimed he was in favour of banning the Israeli team, and said he understood protesters not wanting to allow Israel to participate in global events "as if nothing were happening".
However, he stressed the decision to expel the team was not in the Government's hands who had "no say in the team's participation".
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PICTURED: Pedro Sanchez at the rally in Malaga where he said he 'admired' people who 'mobilise for just causes like Palestine'
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Ahead of the final stage of the race on Sunday, the Spanish Prime Minister said at a rally in Malaga: "Today marks the end of the Vuelta a Espana. Respect and recognition for the athletes.
"And our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilise for just causes like Palestine."
In response, the Israeli Foreign Minister called Mr Sanchez and his Government "a disgrace to Spain".
Mr Sa'ar also accused the Spanish leader of "expressing regret that he didn't have an atomic bomb 'to stop Israel'."
It is thought around 100,000 protesters gathered in the centre of Madrid
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It is believed this was a reference to a speech from September 8 during which Mr Sanchez said his country does not "have nuclear bombs, nor does it have aircraft carriers or large oil reserves".
He added that Spain therefore "cannot stop the Israeli offensive".
Mr Sanchez has been a vocal critic of the Israeli military operations in Gaza in recent years following Hamas' October 7 terrorist attack, and last year his country recognised the state of Palestine.
Earlier this week, Spain introduced new sanctions on Israel, including a permanent weapons embargo.
In response, Mr Sa'ar called the Spanish Government "antisemitic" and accused it of using a "hostile anti-Israeli line" to "distract attention from serious corruption scandals".
Two members of the Mr Sanchez's cabinet have been barred from entering Israel, due to their alleged "support for terrorism and violence against Israelis".
The Vuelta a Espana was halted after protesters invaded the course
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One was Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, who appeared to celebrate the protesters disrupting the cycling race.
She posted on social media: "Spanish society does not tolerate the normalisation of the genocide in Gaza at sporting and cultural events.
"Israel cannot participate in any event."
It is believed approximately 100,000 people continued to protest in Madrid and clashed with police.
According to Francisco Martin, the Government Delegate in Madrid, at least two people were arrested, and 22 police officers were injured.
Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the Madrid Regional President and a member of the centre-right People's Party, said the Prime Minister had done "damage to our sport and our country".
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