Iran calls for Israel's exclusion from the Olympic Games in an official statement
Iran has called for the exclusion of Israeli athletes from the upcoming Olympic Summer Games in Paris in an official statement. The Iranian Foreign Ministry, in Tehran, referred to the conflict between Israel and the radical Islamic Hamas in Gaza as justification on Tuesday. Iran does not recognize Israel, and the two countries consider each other arch-enemies.
Israeli athletes "do not deserve to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris because of the war against innocent people in Gaza," the Iranian Foreign Ministry declared in a statement on X. It also criticized the French government's promise to welcome and protect Israeli athletes at the Paris Games.
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné had assured Israeli Olympic athletes on Monday that they would be welcome in France. He also intended to confirm this to his Israeli counterpart in a phone call, as he stated.
The Olympic Games are set to begin on Friday with a massive opening ceremony. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also expected to attend.
Despite Israel's Olympic athletes being promised a warm welcome by the French government, Iran strongly objected, providing an 'Explanation' for why "Israeli athletes should be excluded from the Olympic Games" based on the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. This position contrasts with the French government's stance, which sees 'earning' a spot in the Games as a right regardless of political tensions.
