Israeli Athletes Urge Global Peers to Shun Boycotts, Embrace Sportsmanship

Israeli athletes across various disciplines have issued a joint appeal to their international counterparts, urging them to resist calls for boycotts and uphold the values of fair play and mutual respect in sports. The initiative comes in response to incidents of boycotts and the exclusion of Israeli athletes from international competitions, including calls in Ireland to boycott soccer matches against Israel.

The appeal, representing Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, religious, and secular athletes, is backed by Israel's Olympic Committee, the Israeli Paralympic Committee, and the "Eilat" Association, the umbrella organization for non-Olympic sports. The athletes emphasize their belief that sports arenas should serve as spaces for meeting, respect, and dialogue, especially during times of conflict and pain.

They argue that boycotts and exclusion shut down dialogue, deepen divisions, and undermine sports' ability to connect people. The athletes acknowledge the heavy price paid by the Israeli sports community and society at large due to the current reality, expressing a shared hope for peace and security for all residents of the region.

"The exclusion of athletes does not advance a solution; it harms the values we all share and the chance to build bridges for the future," the letter states. They implore their peers worldwide: "Do not let disputes conquer the values of sport. Let's meet on the field, compete with fairness and determination, and show the world the power of sport to connect people."

Eyal Kaplan, president and CEO of the "Eilat" Association, stated that Israeli athletes seek the fundamental right to compete as equals, judged solely on their abilities. He added that boycotts distance people, harm sports values, and called on international colleagues to meet Israeli athletes and demonstrate that the spirit of sport is stronger than any dispute.

Notable signatories include Olympic champions Linoy Ashram (rhythmic gymnastics) and Artem Dolgopyat (gymnastics), Paralympic medalists Doron Shaziri (shooting) and Shahar Milfeld (rowing), and world champions Polina Grossman and Yulia Shchekob (kickboxing).