Israeli Judoka Peter Palchik Sells Olympic Gi to Fund Mental Health Support for ZAKA Volunteers

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 provide mental health treatments for ZAKA volunteers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. ZAKA volunteers regularly respond to terror attacks, wars, natural disasters, deadly accidents, and mass casualty events in Israel and worldwide.

Palchik’s gi, worn during one of the most significant achievements in his career, will be auctioned as part of this special fundraising effort. The funds raised will be dedicated to psychological support and trauma therapy for these volunteers, who face harrowing scenes as part of their work.

Palchik is one of Israel’s most decorated judokas, with achievements including the 2024 Olympic bronze medal in Paris, a team bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a World Championship bronze, a European Championship title, and multiple medals at major international competitions.

He stated, "True armor does not belong only on the judo mat. It belongs to the men and women of ZAKA, who wear the yellow vest to preserve human dignity in humanity’s darkest moments. They leave their families and rush to scenes most people cannot even imagine, but when the mission ends, the memories remain." Palchik added, "I am exchanging my armor to help fund theirs."