Geneva (AP) – Spain’s major cycling races Confused by the protest against the Israeli team. Fans were booing the Israeli national anthem before a basketball game in Poland. And several European countries have threatened to boycott the distinctive entertainment events if Israel participates.
Global repulsion against Israel It extends beyond the humanitarian sacrifices of the war in Gaza and into the fields of sport and culture. Israeli critics say they should be on the sidelines from international events, as did Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Unlike Russia, which faced widespread criticism Western SanctionsIsrael has not been closed by global sports organizations such as the International Olympic Committee and World Football Body FIFA. In addition to the small International Muay Thai Federation, there was little intention for international sports to prevent Israeli athletes from competing under the national flag.
Celtic fans lifted a protest banner on Israel during the first leg football match of Glasgow Celtic and Bayern Munich’s Champions League playoffs at Celtic Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
However, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said this week it was time to boycott Israel from international sporting events, along with Palestinian protesters who disrupt Spain’s Vuelta cycling races, raising temperatures, and until Gaza’s “wild barrage” ends. A day later, Spanish public broadcasters joined European countries next year, threatening to withdraw. Eurovision Song Contest – A very popular event across Israel and Europe – if Israel is allowed to compete.
Earlier this month, some Hollywood filmmakers, actors and other industry figures signed the pledge. Boycott Israeli film institutions – Includes festivals, broadcasting stations and production companies.
Why should Sanchez not Israel be expelled from sports like Russia?
“This is different,” said Christoph Dubi, executive director of the Olympic IOC, when asked to compare the two this week in Milan.
Both the IOC and FIFA say that legal reasons for acting against Russia have not been reached in the Israeli case, but have not provided a detailed explanation. The IOC says Israel is not violating the Olympic charter Like Russiawhen the territory of eastern Ukraine was annexed. Nor are the European football federations and clubs refuse to play Israeli enemies.
FIFA declined to request comment on Israeli policy and delayed work for the two panels Formal complaint review By the Palestinian Football Federation, which has sought to ban Israel from competition over the treatment of Palestinians.
Israel responds strongly to the Spanish Prime Minister’s comments
Israel responded strongly to Sanchez’s call for a sport boycott. Foreign Minister Gideon Saa called the Spanish leader “anti-Semitic and liar.” On October 7, 2023, Israel dug its heels in the face of international isolation and criticism of a military campaign in response to Hamas-led militants’ attacks on Israel.
The most notable exclusion from international sports was imposed on South Africa during the apartheid era. They did not compete in the Olympics after 1960 until the 1992 Barcelona Summer Games, two years after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
Russia was quickly blacklisted by most sports coalitions after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The athlete competed under the neutral flag at the Parisio Games.
At present, there is no momentum for Israel to face the same fate. Still, some analysts said the move by Spain is important, especially as it is the main football power to co-host the 2030 World Cup. There will also be an opening stage for next month’s NFL games and next year’s Tour de France Bike Rice.
“We have not seen this type of rage over Israel’s actions in Gaza until now,” said Antoine Duval of the Assar Institute, a Dutch-based think tank. “I think this trend is changing now.”
“Free Palestine” will be displayed as “Free Palestine” before the Champions League opening phase football match between Paris Saint German and Atletico Madrid at Paris des Princess Stadium on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024.
Sports Federation complains about playing Israeli teams
It remains to be seen how shocking Spain is. So far, no world leader follows Sanchez’s call to exclude Israel from international sports.
Thursday, a British lawmakers in Birmingham We have called on European Football UEFA to “ensure public safety and harmony of the community” of soccer team Aston Villa’s “European League match” against Israeli club Maccaviter Aviv on November 6th. UEFA has not shown that it will do so.
Israeli Ministry of Culture and Sports did not reply to a message seeking comment.
In Europe, several sports federations have struggled to have to play Israeli teams, but they say there is no option as Israel is not banned from international competition.
“Facing Israel in these circumstances is not the scenario we want,” Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said last month about his attraction to playing Israel in the women’s eurobasket qualifying game in November. “However, there was no change in Israel’s status within the sport.”
Feehan said the Irish basketball federation could face sanctions.
In men’s soccer, Italy and Norway will host Israel in World Cup qualifying matches next month, and this week both coalitions spoke of dissatisfaction with the situation.
Italian football leader Gabriele Gravina said of the October 14 match at Udine, “I know the sensitivity of Italian public opinion very well.” However, following FIFA rules, refusing to play would result in a 3-0 loss due to forfeiture.
“Not playing means clearly that we’re not going to the World Cup, we have to recognize that,” Gravina said, adding that the boycott will instead help Israel get closer to the US, Canada and Mexico final tournaments.
Norway, who plays Israel on October 11, said he will donate profits from ticket sales to doctors without borders for humanitarian work in Gaza.
Fans express protest against Israeli team
When Israel’s men’s national team played for Poland last month at Eurobasket, there was protest outside the arena in Katwice. Inside, the Israeli national anthem was booed loudly by fans.
Last year, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were involved in a violent clash with Amsterdam residents while participating in football game There.
Protests within the stadium are regularly seen in European football. Champions League final In May. The French “Stop Genocide of Gaza” banner was exhibited by Paris Saint-Germain fans who gathered behind one goal in Munich during the game.
The UEFA did not open a disciplinary case despite rules banning political messaging. The Super Cup Game in August encouraged discussion. Before the kickoff at Udin he says, “Stop killing children, stop killing civilians.” It was placed in the field In front of PSG and Tottenham players.
In Canada tennis Hosted Israel in the Davis Cup Last weekend, behind a closed door in Halifax, Nova Scotia, due to an “escalation of safety concerns.” The move comes after hundreds of Canadian athletes and academics urged tennis Canada to cancel matches over Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
2023, Indonesia Lost Hosting Rights Rather than accepting Israel is playing on the grass, it’s for the under 20 World Cup for FIFA men. However, that stance seems to have changed.
Israeli media reported in July that the country’s gymnastics federation had been invited by Indonesia to send teams to the World Championships in Jakarta later this year. Indonesia is currently in discussions with the IOC. Summer 2036 Game Host.
