A laser projector from a building on Rivoli Street displayed the provocative message on the balloon "Stop Génocide à Gaza" ("Stop the genocide in Gaza"). The projection took place around 10:30 p.m., witnessed by spectators and official guests who were surprised by the blatant political display. According to the organization, the projection aimed to "remind of the fate of the civilian population in Gaza."

Anne Savinel-Barras, president of Amnesty International in France, said in a media statement that "we can no longer stand by" and accused Israel of violating international law. She even claimed that "Israel uses hunger as a weapon of war."

Israel is continuing to use starvation as a method of warfare, a war crime, and as a tool to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.

The harrowing suffering of starving Palestinians in Gaza, including our own colleagues, on an hourly basis, is… pic.twitter.com/AfUlgb8jc6

— Amnesty International (@amnesty) July 22, 2025

Anti-Israeli organizations and hostile leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continue to accuse Israel of genocide – accusations that the State of Israel completely rejects, noting that this is a coordinated campaign designed to blacken its image and break its legitimacy for self-defense.

The operation in Gaza has continued for more than 21 months, following the murderous terror attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which 1,219 Israelis were killed – most of them civilians, women, children, and elderly – and 251 civilians and soldiers were kidnapped to the Strip.

The post 'Stop the genocide': Amnesty International hijacks Paris Olympics anniversary appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif's gender identity continues to dominate Olympic headlines and discussions, but few expected Israel to be implicated in the matter. The president of the Algerian Olympic Committee has accused a "Zionist lobby" of attempting to undermine Muslim boxer Imane Khelif.

The Algerian boxer, set to compete in a semifinal bout at Paris 2024, has faced accusations from her opponents regarding her gender in recent days, following the International Boxing Association's (IBA) decision to bar her from competition.

HAPPENING NOW

The International Boxing Association is holding a press conference in Paris to address the issues surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting.

Dr. Ioannis Filippatos, the former Chair of IBA Medical Committee and an OB/GYN with… pic.twitter.com/VC7H5xiSZN

— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) August 5, 2024

Yacine Arab, president of the Algerian Olympic Committee, has weighed in on the situation, pointing an accusing finger at Israel: "The Zionist lobby wants to break Khelif's spirit, but she is strong. They don't want to see an Arab or Muslim woman succeed in boxing."

The IBA is holding a press conference in Paris to address the issues surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting. Dr. Ioannis Filippatos, the former chair of the IBA medical committee and an OB/GYN, confirmed that neither Lin nor Khelif are biological females. "The blood result looks and says, the laboratories, that these boxers are male."

The post Algeria claims 'Zionist lobby' behind boxer's gender allegations appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Fresh off his Olympic bronze medal victory in Paris, Israeli judo sensation Peter Paltchik is still riding high. The 32-year-old athlete, who carried the nation's flag at the opening ceremony, sat down with Israel Hayom for an exclusive interview, offering a candid look into his journey, the pressures of competing on the world stage, and the future of Israeli judo.

While Paltchik hasn't made a final decision about competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, many in his circle are encouraging him to continue. For now, the judoka plans to take some time off. He and his wife Danielle are expecting a child, after which he'll reassess whether he'll commit to another four-year Olympic cycle.

Q: How do you feel after your recent victory?

"Incredible. I've waited so long for this moment, my moment. I arrived at the Olympic Village relatively early, and I was concerned about managing the mental tension for such a long period. As soon as you enter the village, the volume is turned up high."

Q: Who supported you during this journey?

"My team was crucial, [coach] Oren Smadja's presence was invaluable. They all enveloped me with support, with a fixed and organized training schedule. I could focus on the small, daily tasks, keeping my mind occupied."

Q: How did you feel about carrying the flag at the opening ceremony?

"When I found out in Israel that I would be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony, I was moved to tears. It's one of the most emotional experiences I've had. It's a great honor to bear the flag, especially now, considering what we're going through as a nation. As a young athlete, I always looked up to the flag bearers, imagining myself in that role. It was a moment of pure joy, and the rain only intensified the experience. I carried that energy into the competition."

Q: Did you worry about the ceremony affecting your preparation?

"Many told me, 'You'll carry the flag, burn energy, it will impact your performance.' They primarily wanted me to compete and deliver on the mat."

Q: Did you imagine this outcome?

"Absolutely. Everything came together perfectly at these Olympics. I was the flag bearer, and the competition unfolded flawlessly. I gave my heart on the mat, and I'm glad it all came together as I wanted. Every competition morning, I close my eyes and hope for everything to align. When it does, good things happen to me."

Q: How did it feel to represent Israel during this challenging time?

"I imagined this day with a bronze medal on the podium, on the world's biggest stage, during the most difficult period in Israel's history. It's my greatest privilege to represent the country, and I'm glad I did so with honor and strength."

Q: How did these Games compare to Tokyo?

"These Games were on a scale I've never seen before, a real festival. The Israelis who traveled all the way from home, filling the stands – it was incredible. I felt like I was at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam. Every match gave me goosebumps, pushing me through tough moments, especially against the French competitor. I looked at the crowd and felt I had no right to give up."

Q: What was your most memorable moment from the competition?

"At the beginning of the day, against the Mongolian, I executed a perfect ippon – perhaps one of the most beautiful in my career. I looked at Oren and said, 'We've got this today.' I saw he believed it too, and that was all we needed."

Q: How important was Smadja's presence in Paris? As we know, his son recently fell in Gaza, and it was uncertain whether he would attend.

"It was the most important thing in the world. I knew in my heart it would happen. I know him, and he comes from a family of fighters. With his wife Liat and the children – it's not by chance he's here. It's symbolic. He rose to the occasion, and that says it all. He was with us for every match."

Q: What do you think this means for the future of judo in Israel?

"I hope more children will take up judo. Every medal and successful Olympics has the power to deepen the sport further. We saw what it did for gymnastics and taekwondo after the last Games. I hope people remember this historic moment when Israel won three medals in almost 24 hours, all from judo. There's no reason to cut funding; instead, we should invest more. Give our sport financial stability, and you'll see many more medals, both at the Olympics and from the younger generation looking up to us. We need a broad base."

Q: Are you considering competing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?

"It's not easy, and it's hard for me to even think about it right now. I know what I've been through and what it takes to reach this moment. Qualification, battles, fights to win – I need to ask myself if I can continue another campaign."

Q: To whom do you dedicate this medal?

"To my wife, who's my private fighter, my queen who sacrifices so much. Also my family, including my parents and in-laws, as well as my grandparents. We're partners in this journey, and the medal is largely thanks to them."

The post Flipping amazing: Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik unpacks Olympic triumph appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Italian Olympic gold medalist Thomas Ceccon was seen taking a nap in a Paris park following his complaints about the living conditions in the Olympic Village, as reported by the Mirror.

Ceccon, who secured gold in the men's 100m backstroke and bronze in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay, expressed his frustration with the accommodation after failing to qualify for the 200m backstroke final on Wednesday.

"There is no air conditioning in the village, it's hot, the food is bad. Many athletes move for this reason. It's not an alibi or excuse, it's the reality of what perhaps not everyone knows," he lamented.

#BREAKING: ITALIAN SWIMMER THOMAS CECCON CAMPING IN PARK

Gold medalist Thomas Ceccon opts to sleep in a park due to unbearable heat in the Olympic Village, which lacks AC to promote sustainability.
Is this eco-friendly move too extreme?#Olympics #Paris2024 #M pic.twitter.com/qiDqL9y9jR

— GeniusRogueX (@GeniusRogueX) August 4, 2024

The swimmer's impromptu park rest was captured by Saudi Arabian rower Husein Alireza, who shared a clip on social media with the caption: "Rest today, conquer tomorrow."

Ceccon is not alone in his criticism of the Olympic Village. Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who won the women's 400m freestyle, also commented on the challenging conditions. "It probably wasn't the time I thought I was capable of, but living in the Olympic Village makes it hard to perform," Titmus said. "It's definitely not made for high performance, so it's about who can really keep it together in the mind."

Italian gold medal-winning swimmer Thomas Ceccon sleeping next to park bench. He complained about the lack of A/C and noise inside the athletes village. pic.twitter.com/xQADZ37T4h

— SAINT (@saint) August 4, 2024

Romanian table tennis player Bernadette Szocs echoed these concerns, telling the Guardian, "There is no air conditioning, just this fan, and it is not enough. Somehow, we were lucky that it was not so hot outside, so we didn't need it so much, but it is now hot, and you can feel it is too hot in the room. We are sleeping with the door open in the night. The rooms are small, and we are two persons."

The post Gold medalist sleeps in park amid Olympic Village complaints appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In a display of unsportsmanlike conduct at the Paris Olympics, Tajikistani judoka Nurali Emomali declined to shake hands with his Israeli opponent, Baruch Shmailov, following their round of 16 match on Sunday. Fox News reports that this breach of judo etiquette was met with swift criticism from spectators and social media users alike.

According to Fox News, Emomali, who won the match against Shmailov, chose to walk off the mat without engaging in the traditional post-match handshake. Observers noted that before leaving, Emomali uttered "Allahu Akbar" while making a gesture known as the "Finger of Tawheed," a symbol associated with Islamic beliefs.

Watch this!

Sweet, sweet Karma at #Paris2024 Judo Olympics.

Tajikistan's Nurali Emomali refused to shake hands with Israeli judoka Baruch Shmailov and shouted "𝘼𝙇𝙇𝘼𝙃𝙐 𝘼𝙆𝘽𝘼𝙍" instead.

Then in the next round dislocates his shoulder and ends up sobbing on the mat. pic.twitter.com/69ad7MyjR4

— Kosher (@KosherCockney) July 28, 2024

However, the story took an unexpected turn in Emomali's subsequent match against Japanese Olympian Hifumi Abe. The match against Abe ended dramatically when Abe executed a powerful throw, slamming Emomali to the ground. The impact caused Emomali's left arm to bend and dislocate as he attempted to brace himself. The severity of the injury necessitated Olympic staff members to carry Emomali off the mat.

Many social media users, as reported by Fox News, viewed this unfortunate turn of events as "instant karma" for Emomali's earlier display of poor sportsmanship.

The post Judo athlete injured immediately after refusing handshake with Israeli appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera took a symbolic swim in the River Seine on Saturday, demonstrating the waterway's readiness for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The publicized event, reported by USA Today, aimed to allay concerns about water quality for the planned swimming events.

Baignade dans la Seine: les images de la ministre des Sports plongeant dans le fleuve à Paris à 13 jours des JO pic.twitter.com/xzZu3K13so

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) July 13, 2024

Oudea-Castera's brief swim near the Alexandre III and Invalides bridges, captured by BFM TV, comes as part of a broader campaign to showcase the Seine's suitability for Olympic competitions. The river is slated to host triathlon and marathon swimming events during the games, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

Despite the minister's confidence, some US swimmers have expressed reservations about the clean-up efforts. Their concerns have led to speculation about whether the events will indeed take place in the Seine as planned.

Addressing these uncertainties, Olympics organizers told USA Today last week that a backup venue has been designated. The Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, located just outside Paris and already set to host canoe-kayak and rowing events, could serve as an alternative if the Seine fails to meet required cleanliness standards.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a staunch advocate for the Seine's rehabilitation, has also pledged to swim in the river to mark the Olympics' arrival and demonstrate its suitability for aquatic events. Hidalgo's commitment underscores the city's determination to revitalize the historic waterway, which last hosted Olympic events during the 1900 Paris Games.

The post French minister plunges into Seine River to prove clean enough for Olympics appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Israel is significantly bolstering security measures for its athletes amid ongoing global tensions and the backdrop of the Gaza war, Jewish Insider reports. With less than three weeks until the opening ceremony, Israeli competitors are not only focusing on their athletic preparations but also bracing for potential protests, hostility from other athletes, and even the possibility of terror attacks.

Israel is sending 87 athletes who will compete in 16 events at this summer's games. Peter Paltchik, a judoka champion and one of Israel's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony, expressed confidence in the security arrangements. "There is going to be a lot of security, both French and Israeli," he told Jewish Insider. While unable to disclose specifics, Paltchik emphasized that the team feels well-protected and is concentrating on their athletic goals.

pro-Palestinian protesters demand Israel's exclusion from the 2024 Olympic Games in front of the Olympic Committee headquarters in Paris. pic.twitter.com/knGXIE50qP

— S p r i n t e r F a m i l y (@SprinterFamily) June 10, 2024

 Paltchik has observed a change in attitudes among some competitors since October 7, saying, "Many of the athletes who used to be my friend do not want to talk to me anymore or shake my hand. I'm sure there will be other provocations," he continued, "but I am trying to stay focused on the technical stuff and on competing. Just being there and trying to win is the best representation for my country."

Israel has doubled its security budget for this year's games, reflecting the complex preparations required in light of current events. Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar told Jewish Insider, "There are more threats to Israelis abroad since Oct. 7, many times over. Our ministry is working in coordination with the Shin Bet. We're preparing in terms of how the athletes can practice and compete safely, both mentally and physically."

Ready to celebrate the medalists of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ?

The Champions Park, at the iconic Trocadéro site, opens on July 29. A place of sport, celebration, and culture, where over 1,200 medalists will come to celebrate their victory with the public. Emotions… pic.twitter.com/o1ANEnVuLN

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) July 5, 2024

 The security efforts involve close cooperation between Israeli and French authorities. Eytan Ben David, former head of the dignitary protection unit in the Shin Bet, explained that every member of the Israeli delegation will have security protection at the highest level. The Shin Bet has been working extensively with the Olympic Committee of Israel to assess security arrangements at various venues across France.

Despite the heightened security concerns, Israeli officials have refuted rumors of a potential withdrawal from the games. A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Paris stated, "Our message is very clear, Israel, just like any other delegation, will participate in all the events, including the opening ceremony and the competitions itself." The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also expressed its support for Israel's participation. IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized that there was "no question" Israel would compete as usual, highlighting the special measures taken to protect Israeli athletes since the 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy.

The post Preparations intensify as Israeli athletes gear up for 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The former coach of the Israeli national rhythmic gymnastics team, Ira Vigdorchik, has been appointed coach of the Russian squad and will prepare it for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Vigdorchik, 57, is already in Moscow, having signed a contract with Irina Viner, head coach of the Russian national team and president of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.

Having drawn conclusions from last summer's performances at the Tokyo Olympics, in which the Russian national team came in second after Bulgaria, Viner decided that Vigdorchik was best suited for restoring the Russia's standing in the industry.

Russia perceived the silver medal as a great failure, especially since in the individual event, Russian gymnast Dina Averina also came in second after Israel's Linoy Ashram.

Ashram's victory caused opposition from Russia, which reached even the government halls in Moscow, with a condemnation issued by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

For Vigdorchik, who led the Israeli gymnastics team to 6th place in the finals in Tokyo, this is a prestigious appointment.

In Israel, she was let go following the Tokyo Olympics due to a strained relationship with team members and controversial remarks.

Next year, Israel is slated to host the European Rhythmic Gymnastics in Tel Aviv, at which the Russian team under Vigdorchik is scheduled to compete.

The Israel Gymnastics Federation said in a statement, "We thank Ira for her contribution over the years and wish her success in the future."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Former Israeli national gymnastics coach to train Russian team appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.