A French MP has ignited a political row after declaring that Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Paris Olympics, citing the war in Gaza. Thomas Portes of the radical-left France Unbowed (LFI) party made the comments at a pro-Palestinian rally in Paris on Saturday, calling for protests against Israel's participation.
Portes said: “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. We have to use this deadline and all the levers we have to mobilise.”
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from Jewish leaders and politicians. Yonathan Arfi, head of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (CRIF), accused Portes of “putting a target on the backs of Israeli athletes”, recalling the 1972 Munich massacre where 11 Israeli athletes were killed. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the comments contained “obvious hints of antisemitism” and confirmed Israeli athletes would receive round-the-clock protection during the Games.
Portes later told Le Parisien that French diplomats should press the International Olympic Committee to ban the Israeli flag and anthem, “as is done for Russia”. He added: “It’s time to end the double standards.” Some LFI colleagues offered partial support, with senior party official Manuel Bompard stating it was “legitimate” to ask for Israel to compete under a neutral banner given alleged violations of international law.
The Palestinian Olympic Committee also called for Israel’s exclusion in a letter to IOC President Thomas Bach, accusing Israel of breaching the Olympic truce. Israel denies violating international law, though the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for its leaders over alleged war crimes. The Games open on Friday, with Israel’s football team set to play Mali on Wednesday.
