Israeli Athletes Appeal for Sportsmanship Amidst Boycott Calls

Israeli athletes across various disciplines have issued a joint appeal to their international counterparts, urging them to uphold the values of fair competition and resist calls for boycotts and the exclusion of Israeli athletes from international events. The initiative, spearheaded by the Olympic Committee of Israel, the Israeli Paralympic Committee, and the "Ailat" Association (the umbrella organization for non-Olympic sports), aims to keep sports a realm for mutual respect and dialogue, even during times of conflict.

The athletes emphasized that boycotts and exclusion hinder dialogue, deepen divisions, and undermine sports' ability to connect people. They acknowledged the heavy price the Israeli sports community has paid due to the current reality, expressing a shared hope for peace and security for all residents of the region. The appeal highlights that excluding athletes does not advance solutions but rather harms shared values and the potential for building future bridges.

"Let's not let controversies win over the values of sports," the athletes urged. "Let's meet on the field, compete with fairness and determination, and show the world the power of sports to connect people." Arik Kaplan, President and CEO of the "Ailat" Association, stated that Israeli athletes simply want the basic right to compete as equals, judged solely on their abilities and achievements, and that boycotts distance rather than bring people together.

Notable signatories include Olympic champions Linoy Ashram (rhythmic gymnastics) and Artem Dolgopyat (gymnastics), Paralympic medalists Doron Shaziri (shooting) and Shahar Milfeld (rowing), world champions Polina Grossman and Yulia Scheckov (kickboxing), and Olympic medalist Ori Sasson (judo), among many others representing a diverse cross-section of Israeli society.