French Lawmaker Opposes Israel's Participation in Paris Olympics... Sparking 'Anti-Semitism' Controversy

On the 27th, ahead of the opening of the Paris Olympics, a current French member of parliament faced a backlash accusing him of 'anti-Semitism' after opposing the participation of Israeli athletes in the Olympics.

On the 22nd (local time), at the Peace Prayer event held in the Olympic Village Square within the Olympic Village in Paris, France, Thomas Bach, IOC President (left), and Israeli football player Niv Yehoshua are greeting each other. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the British Guardian on the 22nd (local time), Thomas Porte, a member of the far-left party La France Insoumise (LFI), expressed his opposition to the participation of Israeli athletes at a pro-Palestinian rally held in Paris on the 20th, referring to the ongoing war surrounding the Gaza Strip. He said, "I stand here to say that the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris," and insisted, "We must use every possible means."

In an interview with a local daily, Porte also argued that French diplomats should pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban the Israeli flag and anthem from the games, just as they did with Russia, stating, "It is time to end the double standards."

However, Porte’s remarks immediately sparked controversy over 'anti-Semitism.' Yonathan Arfi, representative of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF), criticized the comments as "inappropriate and irresponsible," saying they targeted Israeli athletes. Arfi also referenced the 1972 Munich Olympics terror attack in West Germany, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by the Palestinian 'Black September' group, noting that Israeli athletes are already "the most at risk" at the Olympics.

French politicians including Paris Deputy Mayor Karen Tev, Interior Minister G?rald Darmanin, and Socialist Party member J?r?me Gued also criticized the remarks, while Foreign Minister St?phane S?journ? sought to calm tensions at the European Union (EU) foreign ministers' meeting that day by saying, "On behalf of France, I want to say welcome to the Israeli delegation."

Israel has sent a delegation of 88 athletes to this year’s Paris Olympics. Due to the aftermath of the Gaza Strip war that broke out in October last year, security measures for the Israeli delegation have been significantly strengthened. The Israeli team’s accommodations in the Olympic Village are not disclosed to the public, and security personnel are stationed around the area. At the opening ceremony on the 26th, armed Israeli soldiers are expected to accompany the Israeli delegation on the boat they will ride on the Seine River.