French group “Europalestine” reportedly said it would stage a “silent protest inside the stadium against genocide in Gaza” during Israel’s opening match, the first of the tournament.
By United with Israel and JNS
The coach of Israel’s Olympic soccer team is undeterred by the plans of an anti-Israel group to protest during the Israeli team’s match against Mali, the opening game of the tournament.
According to Ynet, a representative for the French group “Europalestine” announced there would be a “silent protest inside the stadium against the genocide in Gaza” during the match.
However, Guy Luzon, the coach of the Israeli team, dismissed the anticipated protest, saying according to Ynet, “They will only make us better.”
“Let the protests be held with as many people and as much noise as possible; it’ll make us perform more strongly,” he added.
On Monday, The “Palestine Olympic Committee” (POC) said that it had sent a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach, asking him to bar Israel from the Paris Olympics.
According to the POC, the Israelis are in violation of the Olympic Truce due to the war in Gaza.
The letter stated, “Palestinian athletes, particularly those in Gaza, are denied safe passage and have suffered significantly due to ongoing conflict.”
It also claimed that “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 letter additionally cited last week’s International Court of Justice non-binding opinion declaring Israeli “occupation” of Judea and Samaria to be “unlawful.”
Iran subsequently issued a similar call. “Israeli athletes don’t deserve to be present at the Paris Olympics because of their war against the innocent in Gaza,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement cited by Ynet.
Bach, however, rebuffed the demands. “The Olympic Games aren’t a competition between countries or governments,” he said, according to Ynet.
“If we were to engage in political discussions about wars and conflicts, the opening ceremony would feature 100 countries instead of 206, given all the wars happening around the world.”
This tournament marks the third time the Israeli soccer team has appeared in the Olympics. Previously, the team had reached the quarterfinals in both 1968 and 1976.
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