Israel Judo Association slams as ‘fake news’ Swiss report which apparently sought to negatively portray judoka Peter Paltchik’s support for Israeli fighters in Gaza.
By United with Israel
The International Olympics Committee may open an investigation into Israeli bronze medalist, judoka Peter Paltchik, over social media posts he made expressing support for the IDF, Ynet reported, citing Swiss media.
The committee confirmed it was in contact with Israeli Olympics committee officials over a “sensitive matter,” without elaborating.
Paltchik on Thursday won a bronze medal for the under 100 kg category at the Paris Olympics.
The posts in question reportedly included praise of IDF soldiers fighting against Hamas in Gaza. One post showed a picture of artillery shells with the caption, “from me to you with pleasure” and the hashtags “Hamas is ISIS” and “Israel at war,” according to a screenshot by Ynet.
Israel Hayom cited Swiss news site Le Matin as reporting, “The flag bearer of the Israeli delegation finds himself at the epicenter of a dispute. The Ukrainian-born athlete lauded Israeli soldiers involved in the Gaza conflict during an interview.”
The report also claimed that “Prior to the games, Paltchik shared an image on social media, since removed, depicting signed explosives bound for Palestine [sic]. They reportedly bore the inscription: ‘To you from me, with pleasure.'”
According to Israel Hayom, The Israeli Judo Association said in response to the Swiss report, “This is a rehashed fake news that Palestinians attempted to circulate even before the Olympics, aiming to discredit an Israeli athlete.”
Yael Arad, head of Israel’s Olympic committee, said Paltchik had deleted the posts, according to Ynet.
She explained that the social media activity “is not against any country. It is not against people. It is against the terrorist organization Hamas.”
Following his bronze-medal victory, Paltchik told Sports5, “I can’t explain in words what I’m going through.”
“The period we’re going through in the country, the war, the wounds, the people who we won’t see again — I just wanted to make everyone happy,” he said, thanking his family, “which sacrifices so much.”
“I fought for everyone, for our flag, we worked so hard for this moment,” says he added, mentioning his coach, Oren Smadga, who decided to take part in the Olympics just weeks after his son was killed fighting in Gaza.
“Oren, after what he went through — I couldn’t give up for even one moment,” Paltchik said.