Israeli Peter Paltchik (32) won the bronze final in the 100 kilogram class against Swiss Daniel Eich in judo on Thursday. Among other things, he celebrated this by kissing an IDF flag. Hilde Henriksen Waage reacts strongly to that. She is professor of history at the University of Oslo and senior researcher at Prio. – It is a very strong political statement, in an Olympics that is supposed to be apolitical. It is a strong political mark, which shows his wholehearted support for the war in Gaza and on several other fronts, Waage believes. news met Paltchik after the bronze medal match, and asked him about the flag celebration. – I don’t want to go into details, but I can say that our country deserved this medal, and all other medals that will hopefully come, says Paltchik to news. The flag appears to be the Golani Brigade’s yellow and green flag, with an olive tree on it. – It is an elite frontline force in the Israeli military, Hilde Henriksen Waage explains to news. But that is far from the only thing that makes Paltchik controversial. Signed artillery It is not the first time the 32-year-old, who was born in Yalta in Ukraine, has shown support for the Israeli military. Last fall, Paltchik posted a photo of a missile with an Israeli flag and the inscription “Ippon,” a term used for knockout victories in judo. Then he wrote “from me to you with joy”. DELETED: Peter Paltchik is said to have posted this post on social media this fall, showing a photo of a signed artillery shell. Photo: Screenshot / X The post was later deleted, but has been discussed by several media, including the British Metro. Among those who have reacted strongly to the post is the head of the Palestinian delegation to the Olympics. – We believe it is a massive breach of the Olympic regulations to which we are all subject, says Nader Jayousi to news. People killed since October 7, 2023 Close Sources: Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza / UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) / Israeli authorities Disclaimer: Figures from Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, and may periodically be late. Figures from Israeli authorities show that around 1,200 civilians and soldiers were killed in connection with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. 287 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 27, 2023. None of the figures have been confirmed by independent sources. The Palestinian figures are updated daily. Figures from Israel are updated at least twice a week. Close More information about the figures Paying tribute to the Israeli soldiers The Palestinian Olympic Committee has, on the basis of the post in social media, requested that Israel be banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). But the request has been refused, on the grounds that the Olympics should be for everyone, a place where athletes meet regardless of politics, religion or conflicts. The IOC has repeated on several occasions during the Olympics that you must not mix sport and politics, while Paltchik has used the Games to talk about what the efforts of the Israeli soldiers have meant to him. – All the IDF soldiers who proudly and bravely do their best to protect our country, they give me so much support and inspiration for my journey. I just have to nod and raise my hand in the air in their honor, Paltchik said in a video published by the organization StandWithUS. The organization writes on its website that it is an “impartial educational organization that supports Israel and the fight against anti-Semitism”. SAME PLACE? A photo taken by Paltchik in the Olympic Village. At the top right, you can see two buildings that look suspiciously like the one where Paltchik made his statements about the Israeli soldiers. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell / AP The IOC’s regulations state that one of the fundamental Olympic principles is to promote a peaceful society. The IOC also has strict rules against promoting political attitudes. Among other things, this applies to athletes during the Olympics: – No form of demonstrations or political, religious or racial propaganda is allowed in any Olympic areas or arenas. news has location-verified Paltchik’s statements to be in the Olympic village, i.e. within the area where the IOC regulations apply. – It is not a normal Olympics. We have been feeling it for the past nine months. The sense of nation, the symbols are much stronger for me now, says Paltchik in the video. – I promote peace – Are you following the Olympic Charter with these statements? asks news. – Of course. I promote peace. The whole world is having difficult times. I hope that there will be no more war, no more victims. All people who leave this world are a great loss. My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones. I represent my country, and my heart is with them, replies Paltchik. Waage believes Paltchik’s answer supports his political expression. PROFESSOR: Hilde Henriksen Waage believes Paltchik is making “completely conscious, strong political actions”. Photo: Eskil Wie Furunes / news – He pays tribute to a peace that Israel defines as peace – to carry out the mass murder of Palestinians so far. By not distinguishing between military and civilians. Do not differentiate between women, children and the elderly, believes the history professor. She gives an example: – When Israel killed the Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, they also killed 90 other people. This is how Israel defines peace. It does nothing to kill 90 civilians against one “terrorist leader”. news has contacted the IOC and the organisation’s Norwegian member Kristin Kloster to get an answer on how Platchik’s statements are followed up. – In such matters, the IOC is in direct contact and dialogue with the relevant NOCs. So also in this case, says Kloster and refers to the IOC’s press department about this case specifically. news has not received a response from the IOC’s press department. OLYMPIC BRONZE: Paltchik cheered as if he had won the gold, after defeating Daniel Eich in the bronze final in the 100 kg class in judo. Photo: AFP – Completely different rules for Israel – It doesn’t belong anywhere, says Waage about Paltchik’s statements. She is surprised that Paltchik and other Israelis are allowed to participate in the Games: – It is for the same reasons that Russia is not allowed to take part in the Olympics and Eurovision. – Is there a double standard on the part of the IOC? – That’s it all the way. Both the discussion around Eurovision and the Olympics. As always, separate rules apply to Israel. Western countries run a policy of double standards. There is a set of rules, which apply to Russia, and some completely different rules to Israel. – Why? – The Western countries are the guarantors of this Jewish state. It has been that way since 1948, says Waage. Published 01.08.2024, at 22.32
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– Wholehearted support for warfare – Paris 2024 Olympics
