French Olympic Committee launches investigation into fans protesting Israel

In France, which is hosting the 2024 Paris Olympics, an investigation has been opened against fans who unfurled a banner protesting Israel due to its attacks on Gaza during the football match between Israel and Paraguay, on the grounds that they were engaging in "antisemitic" acts.

According to a report by the French sports newspaper L’EQUIPE, a group of fans protested Israel over its attacks on Gaza during the Men's Group D match held yesterday at the Parc des Princes Stadium, which ended in a 4-2 victory for Paraguay, drawing a reaction.

The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (COJOP) filed a complaint against the fans who carried Palestinian flags and unfurled a banner reading "Genocide Olympics" during the match, alleging that they were engaging in "antisemitic" behavior.

The Paris Prosecutor's Office confirmed that an investigation into the incident has been opened.

During the match, a group of fans unfurled a banner reading "Genocide Olympics" to protest Israel, which continues its attacks on Gaza and has faced calls to be banned from the Olympics; stadium officials quickly intervened and removed the banner.

Prior to the Olympics, there were calls in the international community for a boycott of Israel, similar to the one applied to Russia, with demands that Israel be banned from Olympic competitions and that the Israeli flag not be displayed in any matches.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is responsible for organizing the Olympics, did not decide to ban Israel, and French President Emmanuel Macron commented that the Russia-Ukraine War and Israel's attacks on Gaza were very different situations, arguing that sanctions similar to those applied to Russia could not be imposed on Israel.

Macron had argued that Israeli athletes should be able to participate in the competitions under their own flag.

France is hosting the Olympics, which will continue until August 11. 10,500 athletes from 206 delegations are participating in the event held in Paris, where approximately 16 million tourists are expected.

In the attacks Israel has carried out on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 39,324 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 16,172 children and 10,798 women, and 90,830 people have been injured.

News Source: AA