Several left-wing parties in France have been calling on the International Olympic Committee in recent days to impose sanctions against the Israeli athletes who will participate in the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
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Some 26 French lawmakers, belonging to three left-wing parties, signed a petition sent to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, calling for the imposition of sanctions on Israel for what they say are its "war crimes" in the Gaza Strip.
The same legislators demand that the Israeli athletes participate in the games without the symbols of the state - the Israeli flag and national anthem - and compete neutrally, as the Russian and Belarusian athletes competed in the Tokyo Olympics.
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Israeli athletes march in the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020
(Photo: AP)
At the beginning of this month, 12 soccer associations from the Middle East – led by Jordan – applied to FIFA with a request to exclude Israel from any international competition. Iran made an official announcement of the attempt, stating that "the Zionist entity should be completely suspended from any activity related to soccer." According to the announcement, Iran expects "immediate and serious measures" from FIFA and its member states to prevent, according to it, the continuation of "the crimes of the Zionists in Gaza."
The general secretary of UEFA, Theodore Theodoridis, dismissed the possibility that sanctions would be applied against Israel. "There is no intention to suspend Israel, its situation and Russia's are completely different," Theodoridis said.
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resident of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach
(Photo: Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
"Israel is under attack by Israel haters all over the world and since October 7 even more so, when the face of Hamas was revealed in the murder, kidnapping and rape of innocent women, children and men. We are working and maintaining the representation and status of Israeli sports at the highest levels and so we will continue. It is important to understand that in this case it is a group of extreme jurists associated with a radical leftist party in France that refused to condemn the October 7 massacre, is a supporter of Hamas and its position does not reflect the position of the French government," the Olympic Committee of Israel responded.
"We are in constant contact with the Israeli embassy in France and consult with them on the matter as well. The Israeli delegation to the Olympic Games is preparing for the largest sporting event in the world, an event of human excellence and we are excited for the privilege of leading the delegation and representing the State of Israel," according to the committee.