Swiss athletes protest Israeli anthem at European championships
- The Israeli fencing team won gold at the Under-23 European Fencing Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.
- During the medal ceremony, members of the Swiss team turned their backs on the Israeli flag as the anthem played.
- This act of protest has drawn significant criticism and highlighted ongoing tensions in sports regarding Israel.
The Under-23 European Fencing Championships were held in Tallinn, Estonia, where the Israeli fencing team secured a gold medal by defeating Switzerland in the final match with a score of 45-34. Following the victory, as per tradition, the Israeli anthem was played during the medal ceremony. However, members of the silver medal-winning Swiss team displayed a controversial protest by turning their backs on the Israeli flag while the anthem played. This act was reported as a breach of code of conduct and sportsmanship within the sport. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar condemned the Swiss team's actions, highlighting a growing pattern of hostility towards Israel from international competitors. The Swiss protest raised concerns about discrimination against Israel in sports, echoing previous incidents where other national teams have exhibited similar behaviors against Israeli athletes. This incident signifies the ongoing tensions in global sports contexts related to political and ideological conflicts, revealing deeper societal divides regarding perceptions of Israel and its actions on the world stage.