teachnet
NEW DELHI: The Israeli Olympic team departed for Paris on Monday amidst calls from the Palestinian delegation to prohibit their participation in the upcoming Summer Games. The Palestinian contingent’s request comes as a response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As the Olympic Games are set to commence on Friday, the event is overshadowed by increased security concerns and growing global condemnation of the escalating death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a letter addressed to Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Palestine Olympic Committee demanded Israel’s exclusion from the Games.
The letter “emphasized that Palestinian athletes, particularly those in Gaza, are denied safe passage and have suffered significantly due to ongoing conflict”.
The Palestinian delegation argues that the bombings in Gaza constitute a violation of the Olympic truce.
The Palestinian Olympic Committee has reported that around 400 Palestinian athletes have lost their lives, and the demolition of sports infrastructure has further worsened the situation for athletes who are already facing significant limitations, stating “approximately 400 Palestinian athletes have been killed, and the destruction of sports facilities exacerbates the plight of athletes who are already under severe restrictions”.
The committee’s statement also made reference to the recent ruling by the United Nations’ highest court, which determined that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful.
Prior to departing for France, Yael Arad, the President of the Israel Olympic Committee, expressed that the participation of the team’s 88 athletes in the Games was a “victory”.
“Our first victory is that we are here and going, and that we didn’t give up and have been competing in hundreds of competitions since October 7,” Arad told journalists at Ben Gurion airport.
“It’s no secret that these Olympic Games are a little more difficult for all of us. But we have full confidence in the organisation of security,” Arad added.
Speaking at the same conference, judoka Inbar Lanir acknowledged that Israeli athletes have become mired in controversy over the war, but added they were “used to” it.
“My part is to connect everyone by sports. It’s above all politics and wars and hate. So, I’m feeling safe and I’m excited to represent my country.”
Thomas Portes, a French lawmaker, ignited a political controversy over the weekend when he declared that Israeli athletes were “not welcome” and urged for “mobilisation” surrounding the Olympics during a demonstration supporting Palestinians.
However, Stephane Sejourne, the French Foreign Minister, affirmed on Monday that Israeli athletes were indeed “welcome in France”. Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, expressed his gratitude to his French counterpart in a post on X, saying, “for his welcome message to the Israeli delegation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and for his assurance regarding the safety of our athletes”.
Several pro-Palestinian protesters and activists in France and the United States, along with Palestinian sports clubs and the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, had joined a call for the IOC to restrict Israel’s official participation in the 2024 Summer Games due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In March, Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, the head of the IOC coordination committee for Paris 2024, stated that it was “out of the question to imagine” imposing sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza, similar to the measures taken against Russia and its Olympic Committee in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The Olympic Games in Paris are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.
Numerous Israeli athletes are vying for podium finishes at the upcoming event. Among them is Avishag Semberg, a taekwondo competitor who clinched a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. Another strong contender is gymnast Artem Dolgopyat, who made history by winning Israel’s inaugural gymnastics gold in 2020.
Lanir, a reigning world champion in her division, is also expected to make a strong showing.
Meanwhile, a contingent of eight Palestinian athletes will also be participating in the Paris Games, showcasing their skills and representing their nation on the global stage.
As the Olympic Games are set to commence on Friday, the event is overshadowed by increased security concerns and growing global condemnation of the escalating death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a letter addressed to Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Palestine Olympic Committee demanded Israel’s exclusion from the Games.
The letter “emphasized that Palestinian athletes, particularly those in Gaza, are denied safe passage and have suffered significantly due to ongoing conflict”.
The Palestinian delegation argues that the bombings in Gaza constitute a violation of the Olympic truce.
The Palestinian Olympic Committee has reported that around 400 Palestinian athletes have lost their lives, and the demolition of sports infrastructure has further worsened the situation for athletes who are already facing significant limitations, stating “approximately 400 Palestinian athletes have been killed, and the destruction of sports facilities exacerbates the plight of athletes who are already under severe restrictions”.
The committee’s statement also made reference to the recent ruling by the United Nations’ highest court, which determined that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is unlawful.
Prior to departing for France, Yael Arad, the President of the Israel Olympic Committee, expressed that the participation of the team’s 88 athletes in the Games was a “victory”.
“Our first victory is that we are here and going, and that we didn’t give up and have been competing in hundreds of competitions since October 7,” Arad told journalists at Ben Gurion airport.
“It’s no secret that these Olympic Games are a little more difficult for all of us. But we have full confidence in the organisation of security,” Arad added.
Speaking at the same conference, judoka Inbar Lanir acknowledged that Israeli athletes have become mired in controversy over the war, but added they were “used to” it.
“My part is to connect everyone by sports. It’s above all politics and wars and hate. So, I’m feeling safe and I’m excited to represent my country.”
Thomas Portes, a French lawmaker, ignited a political controversy over the weekend when he declared that Israeli athletes were “not welcome” and urged for “mobilisation” surrounding the Olympics during a demonstration supporting Palestinians.
However, Stephane Sejourne, the French Foreign Minister, affirmed on Monday that Israeli athletes were indeed “welcome in France”. Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, expressed his gratitude to his French counterpart in a post on X, saying, “for his welcome message to the Israeli delegation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and for his assurance regarding the safety of our athletes”.
Several pro-Palestinian protesters and activists in France and the United States, along with Palestinian sports clubs and the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations, had joined a call for the IOC to restrict Israel’s official participation in the 2024 Summer Games due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In March, Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, the head of the IOC coordination committee for Paris 2024, stated that it was “out of the question to imagine” imposing sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza, similar to the measures taken against Russia and its Olympic Committee in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The Olympic Games in Paris are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.
Numerous Israeli athletes are vying for podium finishes at the upcoming event. Among them is Avishag Semberg, a taekwondo competitor who clinched a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. Another strong contender is gymnast Artem Dolgopyat, who made history by winning Israel’s inaugural gymnastics gold in 2020.
Lanir, a reigning world champion in her division, is also expected to make a strong showing.
Meanwhile, a contingent of eight Palestinian athletes will also be participating in the Paris Games, showcasing their skills and representing their nation on the global stage.
