As the countdown to the 2024 Olympics in Paris continues, a story in The Nation investigates the prospect of Israel being barred from participating owing to its role in the Gaza crisis. The article, noted for its progressive position, investigates the parallels with Russia’s recent Olympic ban and speculates on whether Israel’s competitors may be forced to compete under a neutral flag.
Russia banned from Paris Olympics 2024 due to conflict with Ukraine
According to the article, the IOC’s track record, such as FIFA’s indifference to Israeli military activities against Palestinian soccer players, may affect its approach. The article accuses the IOC of treating Palestinians as a disposable population by citing “neutrality” as justification for tolerating human rights crimes.
It implies that if Israel continues with annexations in the West Bank or Gaza, the IOC may face pressure to classify Israeli athletes as neutrals, mimicking the situation in Palestine.
The article expresses concerns about the potential ramifications for Israel of the International Olympic Committee’s decision to exclude Russia from the forthcoming Olympics. It considers situations in which Israel annexes territory with Palestinian sports organizations, prompting the IOC to insist on neutral participation.
According to the article, the IOC’s track record, such as FIFA’s indifference to Israeli military activities against Palestinian soccer players, may affect its approach.
The article accuses the IOC of treating Palestinians as a disposable population by citing “neutrality” as justification for tolerating human rights crimes.
It implies that if Israel continues with annexations in the West Bank or Gaza, the IOC may face pressure to classify Israeli athletes as neutrals, mimicking the situation in Palestine.
