Olympics and the Arab-Israeli conflict

[ceebeegee]

On the Washington Post website, Sally Jenkins wrote:

Sally Jenkins: Hi. I agree with you: this is the most egregious violation of the Olympic ethic that I've ever seen, and it's my fifth Olympics. They should cut down the Iranian flags at every venue and Fed Ex them back to the Iranian governement. And they should revoke Iranian membership. Period. End of debate. There are no ifs ands or buts about this one.
however, the IOC is notoriously shy of controvery. [sic]

And this (from an article on the Post):

During the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, the Israeli team received a tepid reception from the 77,000 spectators. In contrast, the much smaller Palestinian team strolled around the stadium to rousing cheers.

That is just so goddamn sad. Berlin '36, Munich '72. And now this. In the scheme of things, that kind of insult isn't so bad--it just really bothers me that the spectators have no historical perspective at all. That there is even an Israeli team at all is a miracle, since many of them were murdered in cold blood by the countrymen of these "cheered" athletes, and were given a hero's welcome. I don't begrudge the Palestinian team getting cheered--maybe they can find a way to bridge the gap--but I would be kissing the hands of the Israeli athletes. I would be embracing them.

Comments

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

Being pro-Palestine in Europe is considered chic. I wonder how many of those who cheered (or sat on their hands for the Israelis) even know the history of the region beyond the past 10 or so years...