SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Death threats and boos against Israeli Olympic athletes

Israel's Olympic athletes have been subjected to death threats on the internet and have been booed by the audience during the competitions in Paris. We prepared our athletes for all forms of provocations, says team leader Yael Arad.

» Updated: 06 October 2024, 14:42

» Published: 02 August 2024

Death threats and boos against Israeli Olympic athletes
Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP/TT

On Thursday, Israel took its two first medals – both in judo – during the Paris Olympic Games. Bronze medalist Peter Paltchik (+100 kilo) immediately received criticism from, for example, the Palestinian Olympic Committee for a social media post last year.

After the October 7 attack, Paltchik – who was one of Israel's flag bearers at the Olympic Games opening – shared a picture of Israeli bombs allegedly signed with greetings to the terrorist-stamped organization Hamas.

"Against a terrorist organization"

It (the post) was not (directed) against a country. Not against a people, but against a terrorist organization, says Yael Arad, head of the Israeli Olympic team to the news agency AFP.

She questions the claims that Paltchik personally wrote a greeting on the bombs. Above the picture was added: "From me to you with pleasure", as an allusion to the bombs being fired from Israel towards Palestinian areas.

He never signed any bomb, he took a picture from the internet and shared it, says Yael Arad.

Shortly before the Olympic Games were about to begin, the Palestinian Olympic Committee demanded that Israel be stopped from participating, as they believed the country was violating the Olympic peace, which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) wants to prevail around every game.

"Shameful"

I think it's shameful to bring politics into this instead of focusing on the sports, says Yael Arad.

Arad states that Israeli Olympic athletes have received death threats on the internet and that personal information about athletes has been spread on social media. In the Olympic stands, they have received boos during competitions, and it is being investigated whether anti-Semitic gestures occurred when Israel's men's football team met Paraguay.

We prepared our athletes for all forms of provocations. We prepared them through special meetings and with a special team, says Yael Arad.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Referee suspended after Isak-miss
1 MIN READ

Referee suspended after Isak-miss

Qualification delayed - bag with pyrotechnics thrown in
1 MIN READ

Qualification delayed - bag with pyrotechnics thrown in

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"
2 MIN READ

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal
1 MIN READ

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case
2 MIN READ

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere
2 MIN READ

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury
1 MIN READ

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst
1 MIN READ

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere
2 MIN READ

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere

Haak's Joy: Gets to Defend the Title - in Sweden
1 MIN READ

Haak's Joy: Gets to Defend the Title - in Sweden

Poromaa misses the Swedish premiere
1 MIN READ

Poromaa misses the Swedish premiere

Kosovo appeals the decision affecting Sweden
1 MIN READ

Kosovo appeals the decision affecting Sweden

Frustrated Möregårdh won – now awaits the world number one
2 MIN READ

Frustrated Möregårdh won – now awaits the world number one

Luxury Family Enters Paris FC – Aims to Match PSG
1 MIN READ

Luxury Family Enters Paris FC – Aims to Match PSG

After Home Purchase – Now Åberg Will Defend His Title
2 MIN READ

After Home Purchase – Now Åberg Will Defend His Title

The Star's Mark - Taking a Break from Social Media
1 MIN READ

The Star's Mark - Taking a Break from Social Media

Nylander led Toronto to victory
1 MIN READ

Nylander led Toronto to victory

After four straight - Chelsea and Lyon to the quarterfinals
2 MIN READ

After four straight - Chelsea and Lyon to the quarterfinals

He became the coach of the year when Rydström was snubbed
2 MIN READ

He became the coach of the year when Rydström was snubbed

Italy took its fifth title: "An Unlikely Year"
1 MIN READ

Italy took its fifth title: "An Unlikely Year"