The International March of the Living has partnered with Maccabi World Union and the Maccabiah to have athletes publicly reject hatred of Jews and all other forms of hate.
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"Athletes say no to Antisemitism" was launched in light of the recent explosion of antisemitic incidents across the world. Jews have been verbally and physically attacked throughout Europe and North America, with many more targeted online.
"Antisemitism around the world is breaking records and we must do everything in our power to put a stop to this phenomenon," said Dr. Shmuel Rosenman and Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, chairman and president of the International March of the Living.
"Athletes are meant to serve as role models for billions of people globally, and over the course of the coming weeks, everyone's eyes will be turned towards our Olympians. We call on athletes to heed our call and take a firm and clear stance against antisemitism, racism and hatred of all forms," Rosenman and Heideman continued.
Olympic medalist in judo Arik Ze'evi, who is serving as chairman of the 21st Maccabiah Games, said "antisemitism, like all racism, is contrary to the spirit of sport."
"Athletes can and should also serve as role models for how we accept one another and look for what unites rather than divides us. Everywhere I went in our sport, I was always proud of my Judaism and never encountered discrimination. This is the spirit of judo, this is the spirit of sport, and this is the human spirit," Ze'evi said.
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