Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev attended an international judo competition that began Saturday in the United Arab Emirates, as three Israeli players were awarded bronze medals and had their country's flag displayed on a screen.
Gili Cohen, Baruch Shmailov and Timna Nelson Levy all finished third in their respective weight classes at the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam.
This was a significant change from last year, when UAE organizers singled Israel out with a ban on displaying its flag or playing its anthem during the tournament when one of its athletes was awarded a gold medal in the 66 kilograms (145 pounds) category.
Judoka Tal Flicker defied the ban, singing the Israeli anthem, "Hatikvah," on the podium, with the International Judo Federation's flag and anthem in the background.
The UAE does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
The International Judo Federation had temporarily suspended the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam from its schedule, but it was reinstated in September after the tournament's organizers promised equal treatment to Israeli athletes.
Regev was on hand to attend part of the first day of the tournament in Abu Dhabi, which saw three Israeli athletes awarded bronze.
Athletes from 62 countries are participating in the Abu Dhabi Judo Grand Slam, which runs until Tuesday, with Israel represented by six male and five female competitors.
