THE Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) welcomed today Amnesty International’s condemnation of Israel hosting the Giro d’Italia.

The Giro started in Jerusalem today on the backdrop of renewed violence — Amnesty says the Israeli military has killed 35 Palestinians and injured more than 5,500 others since weekly protests started in the Gaza Strip on March 30.

Amnesty say the race is being used by Israel to “sportswash” its reputation, something PACBI agrees with.