Police in Italy stop pro-Palestinian protesters from disrupting Olympic torch relay

Police in Italy successfully intercepted and prevented pro-Palestinian activists from interfering with a sacred Olympic tradition on Saturday The Italian police reported that the pro-Palestinian activists were prevented from coming into contact with the opening stages of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay Both groups of protesters were removed before they reached the relay track in Rome per police CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COMA third group of about people that was monitored by police waved Palestinian flags when the relay passed by the city s biggest university La Sapienza There were also three people carrying signs in backing of Venezuela near the American embassy In October more than two million demonstrators marched through more than Italian cities to protest the war in Gaza Olympic champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri began the relay in the statue-lined Stadio dei Marmi and the torch was carried for miles before ending the day in Piazza del Popolo The relay will cover nearly miles and wind its way through all Italian provinces before reaching Milan s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on Feb CLUB ISRAEL GYMNASTS SPEAK OUT AFTER BEING BARRED FROM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BY INDONESIAN GOVERNMENTIn all there will be torch-bearers The next stops on the torch relay are Viterbo on Sunday and Terni on Monday Pro-Palestinian protesters causing disruption to sporting events have become increasingly regular over the past year especially sporting events involving Israeli teams Last month multiple people were arrested at a soccer match in the United Kingdom that involved Israeli squad Maccabi Tel Aviv Israeli fans of the association were prohibited from attending the match due to safety concerns but disturbances still broke out regardless with anti-Israel protesters in the vicinity Multiple people were arrested at a soccer match in the United Kingdom that involved Israeli squad Maccabi Tel Aviv Israeli fans of the gang were prohibited from attending the match due to safety concerns but disturbances still broke out regardless with anti-Israel protesters in the vicinity An Israeli cycling organization was excluded from an October race in Italy the Giro dell'Emilia because of concerns over potentially disruptive pro-Palestinian protests Organizers made the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the new Spanish Vuelta Seven of the past days of racing at the Vuelta were cut short or interrupted because Spain's establishment estimated more than people were on the streets in Madrid during the final stage in September The protesters revealed their actions were aimed at denouncing Israel's military campaign in Gaza after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel Oct The Associated Press contributed to this statement Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter