PARIS, France: As Israeli and Palestinian judoists competed at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, the ongoing conflict in their homeland was a prominent concern.
Both athletes—one from each side—fought and lost to separate opponents, but their post-match reflections underscored the deep personal impact of the war and the challenge for the Olympics to foster a sense of peace.
Feras Badawi, a Palestinian athlete, expressed his sentiments following his first-round defeat in the under 81 kg category to Tajik Somon Makhmadbekov. He highlighted the contradiction he feels, stating, “I think here at the Olympics, we are here to make peace, but if you are making war in our country and want to make peace here, it’s like you have two faces.” Badawi emphasized his inability to compete against or shake hands with Israeli athletes while the conflict, which has claimed over 39,400 Palestinian lives mostly women and children since October 7, continues.
In a similar vein, Israeli judoka Gili Sharir faced questions about the political situation after her loss in the women’s under 63 kg category to reigning French Olympic champion Clarisse Agbegnenou. Sharir expressed her pride in representing Israel, saying, “We can’t ignore what’s going on, we can use it to our advantage. I believe in Israel, I love Israel and it was an honour for me to fight with the Israeli flag on my chest.” She acknowledged the challenges Israeli athletes face with opponents refusing handshakes but hoped for sports to transcend political disputes.
These statements came after an Algerian judoka was disqualified for potentially avoiding a match with an Israeli opponent, reflecting the ongoing tensions. Palestinian flags and banners calling for a “Free Palestine” have been seen, and some events have featured chants and protests. French prosecutors are investigating death threats against Israeli athletes, evoking memories of the 1972 Munich Games tragedy.
Palestinian officials, including POC chief Jibril Rajoub, have criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for not addressing their concerns. Rajoub, who spent 17 years in Israeli prisons, accused the IOC of double standards and highlighted the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian athletes. He also targeted Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik for his social media posts, questioning his suitability to carry the Israeli flag at such an event.
The Israeli embassy in Paris dismissed these accusations as a “smear campaign.” Yael Arad from the Israeli Olympic Committee defended the athletes and emphasized the significance of the Israeli flag in light of the recent conflict. She remarked, “You know, people can choose who they want to cheer but it’s an outrageous disgrace to use the arena for political or much more for attacks of the Israeli athletes.”
As the Olympics strive to promote peace and unity, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to cast a shadow over the games, highlighting the complex interplay between sports and politics.
