The Paris 2024 event organizers have ordered an investigation into alleged death threats and anti-Semitic gestures against Israeli athletes during the Olympic Games.
The gestures were reportedly made during last night’s match between Israel and Paraguay in the men’s soccer tournament in Paris.
The organisers have strongly condemned the actions and confirmed to Sky News that an official complaint has been filed with the French authorities.
During Paraguay’s 4-2 victory over Israel, banners reading “Genocide Olympics” were displayed in the crowd and the Israeli national anthem was booed.
This comes after the International Olympic Committee ignored calls to ban Israel from this year’s Games due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Banners reading ‘Genocide Olympics’ (pictured) were also displayed in the stadium as the Israeli national anthem was booed
Paraguay defeated Israel 4-2 last night in the men’s soccer tournament in Paris
According to Palestinian health authorities, more than 39,000 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes and airstrikes.
Russia and Belarus are both absent from the Paris 2024 competition due to the war in Ukraine.
Last week, the Palestinian Football Association filed a motion to suspend Israel from international competitions. FIFA, the world football governing body, said it would consider the motion after the Games.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that it has opened an investigation into death threats received by three Israeli athletes.
Cybercrime enforcement agencies are also investigating the disclosure of athletes’ personal data on social networks on Friday and seeking to have it removed, prosecutors said in a statement.
In a statement on Thursday, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said its investigation concluded that Iranian hackers created social media channels to publish personal information about members of the Israeli delegation and send them threatening messages.
On the same day, Israel’s Foreign Minister warned his French counterpart about a possible Iranian-backed plan to target Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympics.
This comes after the International Olympic Committee ignored several calls to ban Israel from this year’s Games due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Thursday: “Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups; lies and deceit cannot turn the tables on the accuser and the accused.”
Israeli athletes at the Games will be escorted to and from events by elite tactical units and will have 24-hour protection during the Games, officials say. Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, is helping with security.
“Full support for the measures taken by the French authorities,” an Israeli diplomatic source said.
“This is an important signal to individuals and organizations who try to threaten athletes,” the source added.