Iran Rejects Allegations of Plot Against Israeli Athletes at Paris Olympics
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran has strongly rejected accusations of planning attacks on Israeli athletes and tourists during the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
"Terrorist acts have no place in the principles of resistance groups. Lies and deceit cannot switch the roles of the plaintiff and the accused," stated Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in response to a Reuters report.
Reuters reported on Thursday that Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz had warned his French counterpart, Stephane Sejourne, about potential attacks against Israeli delegation members and tourists during the Olympics.
The Israeli claims come amid a global campaign to ban Israeli representatives from the Games, citing ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip that has resulted in the deaths of at least 39,175 Palestinians, primarily women and children.
Pro-Palestine activists have launched the hashtag #BanIsraelFromParisOlympics on social media, urging organizers to prevent Israeli athletes from participating in the Games, set to begin on July 26. The activists argue that "celebrating the human values of the Olympics contradicts Israel’s oppressive and genocidal practices against the Palestinians."
They questioned, "How do we celebrate human values while human rights are being brutally violated?" adding, "Olympics without Israel is the demand of everyone who believes in justice and humanity."
Additionally, demonstrations have occurred in European countries, including France and Switzerland, in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters, demanding the exclusion of Israeli sports teams from the Paris Olympics.
