The French Prosecutor’s Office announced that it was opening an investigation following death threats received by a number of Israeli Olympic athletes. The Israeli Olympic Committee confirmed that there were death threats.
“Unfortunately, an attack campaign has been launched against the athletes,” the Israeli Olympic Committee said in an official message Monday morning. “The Israeli athletes are part of a larger campaign of hate that Israel is going through.”
“We are grateful to both the Israeli and foreign security forces and to the French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who are entrusted with and work tirelessly for the safety of the athletes,” the Israeli Olympic Committee said. “The response will be given on the sports field, and the Israeli delegation will continue to represent Israeli and Olympic values with respect, determination, and fairness.”
Last Thursday, the day before the opening ceremony in Paris, Israel’s National Cyber Directorate and Ministry of Culture and Sport accused Iran of carrying out “an influence campaign that is intended to intimidate and threaten the delegation.” According to the investigation carried out by the Cyber Directorate, the campaign includes the release of personal details, residential addresses, identification documents, and items such as flight tickets, passwords, and usernames, as well as sending threatening text messages to the athletes and other members of the delegation.
The Israeli delegation gathered Sunday night in the Olympic Village in Paris to hold a moment of silence, dedicated to the memory of the children who were murdered in the airstrike on the Druze town of Majdal Shams. “The events in Israel are constantly in the thoughts and hearts of all members of the delegation,” the Olympic Committee in Israel said.
