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Edited by: Fern Sidman
During a highly anticipated soccer match between Israel and Paraguay on Saturday night at the Parc de Princes, a disturbing wave of anti-Semitic chants and protests overshadowed the event. According to a report that appeared on Tuesday in USA TODAY, the match, which was part of the group stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics, was marred by shouts of “Heil Hitler” from a group of protesters who also appeared to perform Nazi salutes during Israel’s national anthem.
The atmosphere turned hostile as the protesters, situated prominently in the stands, unfurled a banner reading “Genocide Olympics” before the match began. As per the information in the USA TODAY report, the offensive display and chants drew immediate condemnation from spectators and officials alike.
According to Sky News, the protesters were swiftly removed from the stadium by stewards, but the incident has left a lasting impact on those present and the broader audience.
A spokesperson for Paris 2024 issued a strong statement condemning the actions: “Paris 2024 strongly condemns these acts. A complaint has been lodged by Paris 2024, which is at the disposal of the authorities to assist with the investigation.” This official stance highlights the zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech and discrimination at the Olympic Games.
Despite the unsettling environment, Israeli head coach Guy Luzon maintained a determined and resilient stance. Speaking to Ynet News, Luzon remarked, “Bring on the loudest protests. They make us work harder.” His comments reflect a defiant spirit and a commitment to persevere despite the hostility, sentiments he had expressed earlier before Israel’s opening match against Mali.
The protests and chants come amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023 when thousands of Hamas terrorists from Gaza invaded southern Israel and brutally massacred 1200 Israelis and others and abducted 250 others. USA TODAY also reported that the conflict, rooted in the longstanding feud between Israel and the Iranian backed Hamas terror organization has intensified international scrutiny and heightened tensions globally. The current hostilities have further polarized opinions and actions, manifesting in disturbing incidents such as those witnessed at the soccer match.
In the shadow of these events, Paraguay triumphed over Israel with a 4-2 victory in the group play matchup. As was indicated in the report, the game, which should have been a celebration of athletic talent and international competition, was unfortunately tainted by the anti-Semitic protests.
This manifestation of visceral Jew hatred at the Paris 2024 Olympics serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and persistent nature of anti-Semitism in society.
French police have launched an investigation into death threats received by three Israeli athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, according to a statement from the Paris prosecutors’ office on Sunday. Reuters reported that the investigation is being conducted by anti-cybercrime officers, who are also addressing the unauthorized release of the athletes’ personal data on social media platforms. Efforts are underway to have this sensitive information removed.
On Thursday, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate revealed the findings of an investigation, concluding that Iranian hackers were responsible for creating social media channels to disseminate personal information about members of the Israeli delegation, according to the information contained in the Reuters report. These channels have been used to send threatening messages to the athletes. The release of personal data on Friday further escalated the situation, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and cybersecurity experts.
The same day, Israel’s foreign minister warned his French counterpart of a potential plot, backed by Iran, to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Olympic Games. This revelation has heightened concerns over the safety of the Israeli delegation and underscored the need for rigorous security measures.
Reuters reported that the Iranian mission to the United Nations responded with a statement: “Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups; lies and deceit cannot switch the roles of the plaintiff and the accused.” This statement was aimed at refuting the allegations of Iranian involvement in the threats against the Israeli athletes.
In light of these threats, Israeli athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics are being escorted to and from events by elite tactical units and are under 24-hour protection throughout the duration of the Games, as was explained in the Reuters report. Israel’s internal security service, the Shin Bet, is collaborating with French authorities to ensure the athletes’ safety.
An Israeli diplomatic source expressed strong support for the security measures being implemented by the French authorities, stating, “This sends an important message to individuals and organizations attempting to threaten athletes,” according to Reuters.
The Israeli Olympic team has sent 88 athletes to compete in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, participating in 16 sports. Some of the key sports include gymnastics, judo, athletics, swimming, and cycling.
Artem Dolgopyat, who won gold in Tokyo 2020, is competing in the floor exercise and pommel horse. He is a strong medal contender and recently won gold at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.
Notable competitors in Judo include Raz Hershko in the +78kg category and Inbar Lanir in the -78kg category. Both are strong contenders, with Hershko having dedicated a recent victory to victims of violence in Israel.
Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, Maru Teferi, and Gashau Ayale are competing in marathon events. Rising star Blessing Afrifah is competing in the men’s 200m race.
Anastasia Gorbenko leads the swimming team, competing in multiple events including the Mixed 4×100 Meter Medley Relay. She has previously won multiple medals at European Championships.
Itamar Einhorn and Rotem Gafinovitz are representing Israel in the road race events.
Yuval Freilich is competing in the men’s epee, having won gold at a Grand Prix event earlier this year.
As of now, Israel has not yet won any medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but there are high hopes for athletes such as Dolgopyat in gymnastics, Gorbenko in swimming, and the judo team to secure medals in their respective events.
The men’s soccer team is making its first appearance since 1976, with standout players such as Oscar Gloukh and Dor Turgeman.
The judo team has historically been significant for Israel, with several strong competitors aiming for the podium.
Emotional resilience has been a theme, as many athletes are competing in the wake of recent violence and political tensions, showing remarkable dedication and spirit.
