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The Israel Olympic Committee has canceled its 2025 awards for athletes and coaches, as the country’s sports teams face growing global opposition, protests and security concerns amid tensions over the war in Gaza.
Israel’s committee informed its sports governing bodies of the cancellation in a statement, which was provided to Pak Gazette Digital by the Israel Fencing Association.
“Some of our best athletes, including Olympic medalists, were unable to participate in major international events, which directly affects the selection of both athletes and coaches of the year,” the statement read.
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Athletes from Israel watch the view of the Eiffel Tower from aboard a boat in the floating parade on the Seine River during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (Nir Elías – Swimming Pool/Getty Images)
Several Israeli national teams have been prevented from competing in major international competitions over the past year.
Notably, the country’s gymnastics team and Olympic gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat were denied visas to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta.
The Indonesian government cited security concerns in denying the visas, but a spokesperson for the Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed to Pak Gazette Digital that Israel’s security team gave clearance to its athletes.
“We received authorization from the Israeli security authorities to participate in the World Championship subject to the necessary security protocols. On our part, all preparations were complete: registration process, entry visas to Indonesia and confirmation from the Israeli security authorities,” the IGF said.
Israeli men’s gymnast Eyal Indig told Pak Gazette Digital that Indonesia’s decision was “a blatant incident of discrimination based on nationality.” Indig also said that Israel’s judo team was also unable to enter Hungary for the World Judo Championships in June.
Israel-based outlet The Jerusalem Post also reported that “Olympic judo medalists Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko were also unable to participate in the World Judo Championships during a tense period of competition against Iran.”
The outlet also reported: “The national fencing team faced delays getting to the European Championships after being forced to travel by sea, while Israel’s shooting team was unable to attend the World Championships. The triathlon team also missed the European Championships, as did several other teams across all disciplines.”
RELEASED HOSTAGE REGRETS ISRAELI FANS EXCLUDED FROM UK FOOTBALL MATCH OVER CONCERNS OF PROPALESTINIAN PROTESTS
Team Israel competes during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Final on day fifteen of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de La Chapelle Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Football governing bodies in Ireland, Norway and Turkey have called on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend the Israeli team from competition over the war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, even fans of Israel’s teams have faced exclusion in recent months.
In England, fans of the Israeli soccer team Maccabi Tel Aviv were banned from attending the team’s recent match against Aston Villa in the United Kingdom for security reasons. Maccabi Tel Aviv FC fans were reportedly subjected to violence in Amsterdam before and during the soccer team’s match against Ajax last year. However, riots still broke out during Thursday’s game, with anti-Israel protesters nearby.
British police said six people were arrested on thursday ahead of the Israeli team’s match against Aston Villa in the Europa League match.
About 200 protesters gathered near a park near Aston Villa Park’s Trinity Road stand. Among these protesters were members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, according to The Associated Press. Some pro-Israel protesters were also present.
Meanwhile, the Israeli cycling team Israel-Premier Tech (IPT), lost its main sponsor despite complying with the sponsor’s request to remove the word “Israel” from the team name.
Canadian company Premier Tech announced it was ending its partnership with the team in a statement released Friday.
“After multiple discussions with the team and careful evaluation of all relevant circumstances, Premier Tech has decided to step down as co-title sponsor of the team effective immediately,” the statement said.
The team was excluded from an October race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, due to concerns about potentially disruptive pro-Palestine protests.
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Pro-Palestinian protesters and the Israel Premier Tech cycling team (Getty Images)
Organizers made the decision after protesters repeatedly disrupted the recent Vuelta a España in the presence of Israel’s Premier Tech.
Seven of the last 11 days of Vuelta racing were shortened or interrupted because the government of spain It is estimated that more than 100,000 people took to the streets of Madrid during the final stage in September.
