Palestinian Olympic Committee calls for Israel to be excluded from games
The Palestinian Olympic Committee has joined calls for Israel to be excluded from the games in an open letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The letter accused Israel of breaching the traditional Olympic truce, which is scheduled to run from July 19 until after the Paralympics in mid-September, with its continued war on Gaza.
It “emphasised that Palestinian athletes, particularly those in Gaza, are denied safe passage and have suffered significantly due to ongoing conflict”.
It also said that “approximately 400 Palestinian athletes have been killed, and the destruction of sports facilities exacerbates the plight of athletes who are already under severe restrictions”.
The committee also referenced the recent opinion by the UN’s top court finding Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal.
France to give 24-hour protection to Israeli Olympics team
Israeli athletes will receive 24-hour protection during the Paris Olympics, France’s interior minister has said.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said at a meeting with European Union counterparts in Brussels: “I want to say on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games.”
He said he would emphasise that point in an imminent phone call with his Israeli counterpart, and also “tell him that we are ensuring the security of the Israeli delegation”.
