PARIS: A major French Jewish group on Sunday criticized a hard-left lawmaker Thomas Portes for saying Israeli athletes were not welcome at the Paris Olympics from next week because of the brutalities in Gaza, calling the comments “irresponsible”.
Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, condemned Portes’ comments as “irresponsible,” stating that they effectively “put a target on the backs of Israeli athletes.”
Portes, a member of France Unbowed (LFI), made the statement during a rally supporting Palestinians, declaring, “The Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli sportspeople are not welcome at the Paris Olympic Games,” and called for mobilization against their participation.
In an interview with the Parisien newspaper, Portes further urged France’s diplomats to pressure the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to prevent the display of the Israeli flag and anthem, similar to actions taken against Russia.
“This is about ending the double standard,” Portes emphasized.
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The LFI’s opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza has been a focal point of their recent political campaigns, particularly ahead of the European elections last month.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that nearly 39,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the ongoing Israeli bombardments since October 7 last year.
The perceived ambiguity in LFI’s stance on the Gaza conflict has strained alliances within left-wing parties, which recently regrouped for parliamentary elections, albeit with internal tensions despite emerging as the leading faction.
Some LFI members voiced support for Portes’ stance.
“The Israeli flag, stained with the blood of Gaza’s innocents, should not be displayed in Paris this summer,” MP Aymeric Caron asserted.
Israel’s football team is scheduled to play their first Olympic match against Mali at Paris’ Parc des Princes stadium on Wednesday, just ahead of the opening ceremony.
