French MP Thomas Portes says Israeli athletes ‘not welcome’ at Olympics during Paris protests
A protest over the weekend in Paris called for a ban on the participation of Israeli athletes in the upcoming Olympic Games set to start in the French capital on Friday, as Israel’s deadly war on Gaza persists.
The protest, organised by the NGO EuroPalestine and held on Saturday, saw scores of demonstrators denounce the decision to host Israeli athletes in the Olympics.
But it was French left-wing MP, Thomas Portes of the France Unbowed party (LFI), who attracted headlines for speaking at the demonstration.
“We are just a few days away from an international event to be held in Paris, the Olympic Games. And I’m here to say that no, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris,“ he said.
Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former South African president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, also spoke at the protest, paying tribute to the more than 400 Palestinian athletes who have been killed by Israel’s war in Gaza.
However, Portes’ comments were met with backlash from a number of French politicians, including Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, who said: “The Israeli delegation is welcome in France“, adding that the call by Portes for Israel’s exclusion had been “irresponsible and dangerous“.
Portes also drew the ire of several Jewish leaders in France. Yonathan Arfi, a member of the Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions, described the comments as akin to “putting a target on the backs of Israeli athletes“.
The LFI depute later told Le Parisien newspaper that “France’s diplomats should pressure the International Olympic Committee to bar the Israeli flag and anthem, as is done for Russia“ over its invasion of Ukraine.
Read more:
#Paris2024 #Olympics #OlympicGames #Paris2024Olympics #ParisOlympics #sport #Olympics2024 #OlympicGames2024 #2024Olympics #2024OlympicGames #summerolympics #gaza #gaza_strip #gazagenocide #gazaunderattack #gazaundersiege #gazaceasefirenow #ceasefireingazanow #ceasefirenow #gazaceasefire
2 views
137
32
3 months ago 00:03:45 1
Lady (Dota 2 AI cover)
4 months ago 00:03:03 1
Godzilla (1998) - Godzilla Babies Scene (7/10) | Movieclips
4 months ago 00:03:35 1
Stargate (6/12) Movie CLIP - Ambushed! (1994) HD
4 months ago 00:00:57 1
French MP suspended from National Assembly for raising Palestine flag
4 months ago 00:03:06 5
Putin’s Fury Ignited: Macron Deploys French Troops to Ukraine, Ignoring Nuclear Threats By Russia
4 months ago 00:03:37 1
Macron’s Fresh Dare To Putin? French Troops Headed To Ukraine, Claims MP; Oppn Warns Of World War 3
4 months ago 00:00:53 1
Pro-Palestine protesters in Paris demonstrate against interview with Netanyahu
4 months ago 00:03:22 1
Godzilla (1998) - Godzilla vs. Submarines Scene (6/10) | Movieclips
4 months ago 05:36:14 1
Music Mix 2024 🎧 Music That Make You Feel BADASS 🎧 EDM Remixes of Popular Songs 🎧 Bass Boosted 2024
4 months ago 00:01:23 1
French MP suspended after raising Palestinian flag in parliament session
4 months ago 00:00:21 1
French parliament suspended after MP waves Palestinian flag
4 months ago 00:51:15 1
In full: Nigel Farage speaks at Reform UK campaign event in Dover
4 months ago 00:03:59 1
Judicaël Perroy plays Libertango | Guitar by Masters
5 months ago 00:02:31 1
Moulin Rouge! (4/5) Movie CLIP - Come What May (2001) HD
5 months ago 00:10:13 1
Невероятно удобная система хранения инструмента французские планки своими руками в мастерской
5 months ago 00:02:41 1
Raiders of the Lost Ark (9/10) Movie CLIP - Face Melting Power (1981) HD
5 months ago 00:02:29 1
💕Marriage d’Amour (Paul de Senneville) - Kalimba Cover With Tabs
5 months ago 00:15:15 1
Slow and Relaxing Spring Morning Routine Alone 🌷 Easter Decoration, Breakfast & Coffee
5 months ago 00:34:37 6
POV : you listen to the Radio Demon’s broadcasts – Alastor’s playlist
6 months ago 00:02:43 1
Perfume (7/8) Movie CLIP - An Angel (2006) HD
6 months ago 00:02:32 1
Royale With Cheese - Pulp Fiction (2/12) Movie CLIP (1994) HD
6 months ago 01:34:44 1
Douglas Murray and Jonathan Pageau | EP 290
6 months ago 00:01:53 1
Kingdom of Heaven (3/5) Movie CLIP - Ambush (2005) HD
6 months ago 00:02:40 1
The Patriot (4/8) Movie CLIP - Papa Don’t Go (2000) HD