Israeli Athletes Urge Global Peers to Keep Sports Free of Politics

Israeli athletes from various sports and backgrounds have issued a joint appeal to their international counterparts, urging them to uphold fair competition and prevent political disputes from overshadowing athletic events. The initiative, supported by the Olympic Committee of Israel, the Israeli Paralympic Committee, and the "Ailat" Association of non-Olympic Sports, comes amid calls in Ireland to boycott matches against the Israeli national soccer team and instances of Israeli athletes facing exclusion internationally.

The athletes emphasized their belief that sports arenas should serve as spaces for meeting, mutual respect, and dialogue, especially during times of conflict and pain. They stated that boycotts and exclusion hinder dialogue, deepen divisions, and damage sports' ability to connect people. The appeal acknowledges the significant toll the current reality has taken on the Israeli sports community, expressing a collective hope for peace and security in the region.

"Excluding athletes does not advance a solution; it harms the values we all share and the chance to build bridges for the future," the athletes wrote. They called on their global peers to meet them on the field, compete with determination and fairness, and demonstrate sports' power to unite people. "Do not let disputes win over the values of sport," they urged.

Erick Kaplan, President and CEO of the "Ailat" Association, echoed these sentiments, stating that Israeli athletes seek the fundamental right to compete as equals, judged solely on their abilities. He asserted that boycotts distance nations, cause harm, and contradict sportsmanship, expressing pride in Israeli athletes who compete with determination, fairness, and respect regardless of background.

Notable signatories include Olympic champions Linoy Ashram and Artem Dolgopoyt, Paralympic medalists Doron Shaziri and Shahar Milfeld, and world champions Polina Grossman and Yulia Scheckov, among many others representing a diverse range of sports.