Israeli Minister Calls for IOC Action Against Swiss Broadcasting
On Tuesday, Miki Zohar, the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports, urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to denounce comments made by a Swiss commentator who alleged that Israeli athletes supported “genocide.”
“It’s simply unacceptable for media outlets worldwide to demean Israeli athletes like this,” Zohar said in a statement. “They shouldn’t be depicted as endorsers of genocide or face calls for disqualification.” He emphasized his support for Israeli athlete Adam Edelman, reiterating the need for the IOC to distance the Olympics from political issues.
Swiss commentator Stefan Lena made these accusations while covering Edelman’s bobsled events at the Milan-Cortina Games, claiming that Edelman had shared several social media posts expressing support for “genocide in Gaza.” During his commentary, Lena attempted to illustrate this further, stating, “Edelman referred to Israel’s military actions as ‘the most morally just war in history’ and criticized a Palestinian inscription near the World Cup stage, prompting calls for support for military actions in Cortina.”
Despite the concern over Edelman’s participation, Lena questioned if he would be present, noting that the IOC has previously stated that athletes who actively support military actions or related events may not be eligible to compete.
Edelman, who was born in Boston and moved to Israel a decade ago, took to social media to express pride in his team, stating, “This team is chasing an incredible goal because that’s what Israelis do.” He acknowledged the harsh criticism faced during the broadcast but seemed unfazed, insisting they were focused on their next competitions.
“It’s hard to take that commentary seriously,” he said, looking ahead to their upcoming runs. “We’re excited about the two-man event and ready to shine in the four-man as well.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also condemned the Swiss commentator’s remarks, describing them as egregiously inappropriate and filled with bias against Jews.
Earlier this month, the Israeli bobsled team’s training location was targeted by burglars who made off with thousands in belongings, including crucial equipment and passports. Edelman had tweeted about this incident, calling it a “terrible violation,” while underscoring the resilience and determination of his team.
