Johannesburg – The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) has called on the SA government to respect Israel’s right to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
SAZF was reacting to Friday’s comments by the Department of Sports Arts and Culture in South Africa condemning Israel’s participation in the Olympics.
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The department condemned the “participation of the genocidal state of Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics”, adding that Israel’s participation “seriously undermines the principles of Olympism which includes universality and solidarity, unity in diversity, autonomy, and good governance, sustainability”.
The department further said: “We view this participation as grossly inhuman, and indicative of scant regard for thousands of Palestinian lives lost as a result of continued genocide by Israel against women, children, men, the elderly, and the sick”.
Responding to the department’s criticism on Sunday, SAZF said: “The Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s calls to exclude Israel from the Olympics starkly contradict the Olympic values of tolerance, diversity, and global unity.
“Israel, a sovereign state, holds the right to participate in this international event, just like any other nation.”
SAZF said it was “noteworthy” that the Government Communication Information System issued the press statement condemning Israel’s involvement in the global sports event on behalf of the department’s Deputy Minister Peace Mabe.
“The absence of the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture’s Gayton McKenzie’s name is striking,” SAZF said.
The Zionist federation said, “it supports Minister McKenzie’s statement on X (Twitter) that divisive politics should not cloud or interfere with the South African Olympic team, and looks forward to his response after the Olympics”.
The Olympics aim to promote global unity and should not be misused as a tool for division, SAZF said.
The anti-Israel African National Congress is once again exploiting governmental channels, and undermining the “unity” of the “Government of National Unity” to spread radical political messages that the majority of South Africans do not support.
“Israel is uniquely targeted for defending itself against ongoing threats to its population,” said SAZF.
“Hamas started the war with Israel on October 7, and the conflict would end if the terror group surrenders and returns the hostages.”
SAZF added: “Those calling for Israel’s exclusion from the Olympics should remember that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, respecting human rights, tolerance, and diversity – the very values the Olympics embody.
“Israel’s team exemplifies the country’s multicultural character, which is often overlooked.
“For example, Israeli swimmer Adam Maraana is an Arab-Israeli, with a Muslim Arab father and a Jewish mother.
“It is distressing that innocent Israeli athletes now face death threats and require extensive security measures simply to participate in these games.”
SAZF called on the South African government to “seriously reconsider” its stance and uphold the true spirit of the Olympics – bringing nations together through sport, rather than driving them apart through divisive politics.
