French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly rebuffed entreaties from the Palestine Olympic Committee and segments of the French left-wing parliamentary contingent urging a boycott of Israeli athletes participating in the Olympics.
In a statement to French broadcaster France 2, Macron emphasized, “Israeli athletes are extended a hospitable reception within our nation. They are entitled to compete under their national banner as prescribed by the Olympic charter.”
Furthermore, Macron articulated his stance on the ongoing Israel’s war on Gaza, stating that while Israel retains the right to self-defense, he unequivocally condemned the “unacceptable” Israeli military atrocities in Gaza.
The Palestine Olympic Committee had earlier dispatched correspondence to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), advocating for Israel’s exclusion from the Games.
In the missive, Israel was accused of violating the longstanding Olympic truce, which traditionally spans from July 19th until the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in mid-September, citing its ongoing military operations in Gaza.
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