Gold medal for Israel’s Judoka Tal Flicker at Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam
Israel’s Judoka Tal Flicker won the gold medal at the Judo Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi Thursday after beating Azerbaijan’s Nijay Shikhalizadeh in the 66 Kilogram division. Another Israeli, Gili Cohen, won the bronze medal in the women’s 52 Kilogram division. The Abu Dhabi hosts refused to let them wear the Israeli flag during the competition, only the International Judo Federation’s Flag, and refused to play the Israeli national anthem over their win. In response, the International Judo Federation protested to the UAE Judo Federation president that the Israel team had suffered harassment and discrimination contrary to its charter.
Their transgressions jump in the eye: there was no jizya payment, and they came to Abu Dhabi to throw muslims to the ground!
Luckily, there was no stonning, not even a little bit of lashing.
Politics and Sport do not mix…..The Israelis did well and that is all that matters….Abu Dhabi should try to get out of the Dark Ages….And to enter the 21 Century….Anno Domini….
No more international events of any kind to be held anywhere, where the Israeli flag or national anthem is disallowed. ridiculous attitude to take and even more ridiculous that the Federation allowed this to happpen. Shame upon both
You can’t take away the win tho.