Palestine calls on International Olympic Committee to bar Israel from Paris 2024 Olympics
Date
7/24/2024 3:16:26 AM
(MENAFN) On Monday, the Palestinian Olympic Committee (POC) issued a formal request to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), urging the exclusion of Israel from the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The request was also sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino by the Palestine football Association (PFA).
This plea comes as Israel prepares to participate in the Paris olympics with a delegation of approximately 88 athletes, including the Israeli national football team. The Games are set to commence with an opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday.
The POC's letter cites several grievances, asserting that Israeli sports bodies and their members have repeatedly violated the Olympic Charter and FIFA statutes. This includes accusations of breaching the Olympic Truce mandated by the UN General Assembly Resolution for the Paris 2024 Olympics, which stipulates a peaceful environment from July 19 to September 15, 2024. The POC condemns recent Israeli military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in civilian casualties and purportedly undermined the truce.
The letter also highlights the severe impact on Palestinian athletes, noting that approximately 400 have been killed and sports facilities have been destroyed, further restricting the already limited opportunities for Palestinian athletes. It underscores the International Court of Justice's findings that Israel is operating an apartheid regime and illegally occupying Palestinian territories, including Gaza.
In contrast, the IOC had previously barred Russia from participating in the Olympics due to the Russia-Ukraine War. Russian and Belarusian athletes were permitted to compete only as neutral athletes, with Russian symbols and anthems banned from the Games. This precedent of exclusion in response to international conflicts adds weight to the Palestinian request, emphasizing the IOC's role in addressing geopolitical issues impacting the Olympics.
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