Pro-Palestinian advocates urge Olympic officials to restrict Israel’s participation in Paris games
PARIS-Several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered on Tuesday close to the offices of the Paris Olympics organizers, demanding that Israel’s participation in the Summer Games in the French capital be restricted. Around 300 protesters demonstrated against Israel’s “institutional participation” in the Games due to the Gaza conflict in front of the Paris Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games offices in the neighborhood of Saint-Denis. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Israeli chants.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict
Protesters argued the International Olympic Committee should follow the same approach for the Israelis, citing the example of Russian athletes who would compete at the Olympics under a neutral flag and without the presence of Russian government officials. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “they didn’t need more than four days to decide to ban Russia and Belarus from the Olympics,” stated Nicolas Shahshahani, an activist from EuroPalestine who was present at the demonstration on Tuesday. “They’re ready to greet the delegation from Israel.” In an interview earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron supported the International Olympic Committee’s decision to permit Russian athletes to compete in the Olympics, although under a neutral flag, in spite of the invasion of Ukraine.
Pro-Palestinian activism takes center stage
Despite the fact that Israel has been on the assault in Gaza since October 7, when terrorists headed by Hamas rushed into southern Israel and killed almost 1,200 people, largely civilians, and kidnapped about 250 others, he supported the participation of Israeli athletes flying their flag. Gaza’s health officials report that over 34,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the ensuing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Macron stated, “We cannot claim that Israel is attacking.” “Israel is reacting in Gaza to a terrorist attack that it was the victim of.” The demonstrations on Tuesday occurred a few days after pro-Palestinian students attempted to take over school facilities at France’s two prominent universities in the Paris region and conducted demonstrations, motivated by Gaza solidarity encampments on American campuses.
Challenges and controversies
50 students were taken out of the Sorbonne university by French police on Monday after pro-Palestinian demonstrators took over the main courtyard. Pro-Palestinian students attempted to take over an amphitheater at Sciences Po, the Paris Institute of Political Studies, last week, sparking demonstrations. Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protestors engaged in a heated confrontation in the street outside the school on Friday. To keep the opposing factions apart, riot cops intervened. After reaching a consensus with the administration, the students left the facility late on Friday, bringing the protest to a peaceful conclusion. The Paralympics will take place on August 28–September 8 in Paris, following the Olympic Games from July 26–August 11. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in their hundreds gathered outside the headquarters of the Paris Olympics organizers, demanding that Israel’s participation in the Summer Games in the French capital be restricted. Around 300 people demonstrated against Israel’s “institutional participation” in the Games on Tuesday at the Paris Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games headquarters in the Saint-Denis suburb. They waved Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Israeli slogans in response to the conflict in Gaza.
Response from Olympic officials
After days of tension, students at a top French university in Paris, motivated by Gaza solidarity encampments on American campuses, calmly departed a school building late on Friday. A deal was reached with students on Friday, according to the director of Sciences Po, the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Among its several well-known alums are Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and President Emmanuel Macron of Sciences PRo. Earlier this week, pro-Palestinian students attempted to take over an amphitheater, which caused tensions to flare on campus. Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protestors engaged in a heated confrontation in the street outside the school on Friday. To keep the opposing factions apart, riot cops intervened.
Call to action: Boycott Pairs Olympics 2024
Amid Israel’s ongoing conflict with Palestine, calls for boycotting Israel’s participation in the Paris Olympics 2024 have amplified. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators demand restrictions on Israel’s involvement, citing humanitarian concerns. The push for boycott aims to pressure French authorities to address human rights violations and ensure safety for all participants.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrator and Sciences Po student Wajih stated that “the occupation has paused for now.” He did not reveal his last name out of concern about facing disciplinary action from the institution. However, we will continue to support the Palestinian movement as a whole, other colleges, and people everywhere until Palestine is free.
