The Diplomat
Nearly 500 cyclists took part in bike rallies in Madrid and Barcelona yesterday to demand the immediate release of the 136 Israeli hostages held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
Israel’s ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, who attended the rally in Madrid, expressed moving words at the arrival point, at the Casa del Reloj, in the Arganzuela District Council, according to the Israeli Embassy.
The initiative in Madrid, which was attended by 250 people, was organised by the Jewish sports association Maccabi and the Forum of Relatives of Israeli Hostages in Spain, with the collaboration of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain.
More than 200 people took part in the ‘bicicletada’ and solidarity rally in Barcelona, organised by the organisation “Juntos”, ISFA and the Israeli Embassy in Spain, with the collaboration of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain.
Both demonstrations are part of an international initiative that has the backing of the famous cyclist Chris Froome, five-time winner of the Tour de France, who expressed his wish that his route be dedicated to calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza.
Maccabi’s representative, Simon Andres, explained that the aim of Sunday’s march is that the hostages “can return to their homes and families as soon as possible, safe and sound”.
