Israeli Judoka Peter Palchik Sells Olympic Gi to Support ZAKA Volunteers' Mental Health
Israeli judoka Peter Palchik announced he is selling the original judo gi he wore when winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The initiative aims to raise $50,000 to fund mental health treatments for ZAKA volunteers who face post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their work at terror attacks, wars, natural disasters, and mass casualty events in Israel and worldwide.
Palchik, one of Israel's most decorated judokas, holds multiple honors including the 2024 Olympic bronze medal, a team bronze from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a World Championship bronze, and a European Championship title. He emphasized the symbolic meaning of the gi, stating that "true armor" belongs not only to athletes on the mat but also to the men and women of ZAKA who wear yellow vests to preserve human dignity in humanity's darkest moments.
He highlighted the sacrifices ZAKA volunteers make, leaving their families to respond to scenes most people cannot imagine, with lasting memories of trauma. Palchik said, "I am exchanging my armor to help fund theirs," underscoring his commitment to supporting these volunteers' psychological resilience through this fundraising effort.
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