Spain's political class clashed over chaotic pro-Palestinian protests in Madrid that brought the Vuelta to a premature end Sunday, with the opposition accusing the leftist government of permitting an "international embarrassment".

And comments from Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Sunday brought an angry response from Israel.

Hundreds of demonstrators denouncing the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team in one of cycling's major races overwhelmed police and invaded the course in the Spanish capital, forcing organisers to cut short the final stage.

The unrest was the culmination of pro-Palestinian activism over Israel's war in Gaza that disrupted the three-week race on several occasions.

Even before the final day, the race organisers had had to shorten some stages and demo

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