Protests at Paris 2024 Olympics: The Case for Banning Israel

Protests at Paris 2024 Olympics: The Case for Banning Israel

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are set to commence on July 26, but even before the opening ceremony, the event has been overshadowed by significant protests and controversies regarding France's decision to ban hijabs for its athletes during the Olympics, Worker Exploitation in Olympic Preparations and Russian and Belarusian Athletes' Controversy.

Among the most prominent issues is the fervent call to ban Israel from participating in the Games. Activists, rights groups, and numerous individuals worldwide are demanding that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) take a stand against Israel's actions in Gaza by excluding its athletes from the competition.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 39,175 Palestinians, including more than 15,000 children, and left more than 90,403 injured and over 10,000 missing since October of last year and at least 589 people have been killed, including more than 142 children and injured more than 5,350 people in the Occupied West Bank.

Israel faces accusations of genocide from South Africa at the International Court of Justice, adding to the gravity of the situation. The scale of the humanitarian crisis has spurred global outrage, with many arguing that allowing Israel to participate in the Olympics would be a grave injustice to the victims of the conflict.

A petition by the US-based rights group Avaaz has garnered over 600,000 signatures, demanding that the IOC ban Israel "until their government ceases its assault on innocent civilians in Gaza." Protests have been held not only in Paris but also outside the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, emphasizing the global nature of the demand.

Rebecca O’Keeffe, a peace activist and member of Irish Sport for Palestine, has been a vocal advocate for banning Israel from the Olympics. She argues that Israel's actions constitute a clear violation of the Olympic Charter and that the IOC's failure to act reflects double standards. "For decades, apartheid Israel has targeted, abused, injured, and murdered Palestinian athletes and coaches. The IOC's silence on this matter exposes blatant double standards and selective morality," O’Keeffe stated.

In the days leading up to the Games, Paris has witnessed numerous protests. Activists have been seen waving Palestinian flags and carrying banners with messages like "Genocide Is Not an Olympic Event" and "Ban Israel." These demonstrations have not only highlighted the plight of Palestinians but also brought attention to the perceived hypocrisy of the IOC.

French left-wing MP Thomas Portes joined the protests, stating, "The Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris." His sentiment echoes the broader call for justice and accountability.


Activists believe that the Olympics, which symbolize global unity and peace, should not provide a platform for a nation involved in such severe human rights violations. The persistent activism against Israel's participation is a call for the IOC to uphold the values of fairness, justice, and human dignity.

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