Why does Israel target Palestinian athletes?

Pars Today- The Israeli crimes in Gaza are not limited to massacre of civilians and destruction of houses; rather the regime systematically targets the symbols of hope and resistance in Palestine.

According to Pars Today, martyrdom of 700 athletes and destroying athletic infrastructures in the Gaza Strip brings the question to the mind: Why do Zionists target athletes in particular?

Sport symbol of identity, resistance

Athletes in every society, especially in Palestine, are not mere champions of athletic fields. They are the symbols of hope, national solidarity and resistance. The Zionist regime, targeting them and athletic sites, intends to undermine the spirit of resistance among Palestinians. This fake regime knows well that athletic champions are inspiring perseverance and steadfastness among the young generation.

Elimination of influential figures to stifle voice of Palestine

Palestinian athletes, especially in the international level, are the ambassadors of Palestinian human rights. Attending world competitions, they expose the crimes of the fabricated Zionist regime. The Occupying regime, omitting them physically, is trying to stifle the voice of resistance of Palestine and impede the Israeli crimes to be spread by the media.

Annihilation of future of Palestinian sports; attempt to obliterate national identity

With murdering athletes and destroying stadiums, Zionists have targeted not just the present, but the future generation of Palestine. They want to deprive the young Palestinians from athletic facilities in a bid to deny them the symbol of collective identity and international opportunities.

World community silence; complicity in crimes

As the number of the martyrs in Gaza nears 53,000, international organizations prefer to keep deadly silent. Is it not violation of human rights to kill athletes and destroy athletic infrastructures? Why have global communities, such as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee kept silent against these unprecedented crimes?

Resistance only response to assassination of hopes

The Zionist regime, assassinating athletes, aims at depriving Palestinians from their wishes and hopes. But, history proves that the more the occupiers murder, the more determined the resistance will become. The initiatives like, "Journalists of Hope" indicates that Palestine is alive, despite all destructions, and its voice of truth-seeking will resonate in the world.

Muntasir Adkidak, Deputy Chairman of Sports Media Association of Palestine, informed of launching the "Journalists of Hope" initiative by the Palestinian sports media with the cooperation of Arab and international media to support young Palestinians in Gaza. He said, "Economic empowerment, psychological support, strengthening the voice of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and [building] human bond through sports are among the goals of launching 'Journalists of Hope'."    

RM/UR