Israel flagbearer for Paris Olympics ‘signed bombs’ heading for Gaza

Israel’s flagbearer for the Paris Olympics has been accused of ‘signing bombs’ intended for ‘the children of Gaza’.

Judo champion Peter Paltchik has been selected as one of Israel’s two flagbearers ahead of the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday night.

A former national and European champion, Paltchik will represent Israel in the team event, having won a bronze medal at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

But the decision to choose Paltchik as a flagbearer has caused uproar on social media after one of the 32-year-old’s tweets resurfaced on the eve of the games.

On October 22, Paltchik posted a picture of several missiles with the caption: ‘From me to you with pleasure #HAMASisISIS #IsraelAtWar’.

Just over two weeks before Paltchik’s tweet, Hamas soldiers stormed into Israel and killed around 1,200 people before taking more than 250 others hostage.

The Israel Defence Force responded with heavy air and artillery strikes of Gaza, killing thousands of Palestinians.

Paltchik has deleted the tweet but it has been claimed that he signed the bombs himself as his signature appeared to be on display as well as the Judo term ‘ippon’, which is the highest score a fighter can achieve.

Last month, the president of the Palestinian Olympic Committee called for Israel to be banned from the Paris Games, citing Paltchik’s post as one of the reasons.

Jibril Rajoub told DW: ‘He is signing missiles and sending them as a gift to the children of Gaza.’

Israel’s judo federation denied Paltchik had himself signed the bombs but told DW they could not say who did sign the missiles or why they featured the term ‘ippon’.

In the days following the October 7 attack, Paltchik posted on X: ‘Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Israeli border and attacking civilians, from air ground and sea.

‘My heart is broken, everyone please stay safe and strong as possible against the attacks This is the reality of our people of Israel this morning. WE ARE AT WAR!

‘They are not “freedom fighters”!! Pay attention and open your eyes and ears! Hamas Is ISIS. The world needs to see and understand what Hamas really is – ISIS.’

Israel’s Olympic football team were in action on Wednesday night and fans in Paris loudly jeered when the national anthem was played out.

Earlier this week, a French MP claimed Israel athletes were ‘not welcome’ at the games.

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Thomas Portes, a lawmaker for far-left party France Unbowed, said: ‘I am here to say that no, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games in Paris.’

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has since confirmed that Israel’s Olympic team will be given 24-hour protection during the event.

Foreign minister Stephane Sejourne hit back at Mr Portes and said: ‘I want to say that on behalf of France, to the Israeli delegation, we welcome you to France for these Olympic Games.’

Who are Team GB’s flagbearers?

Meanwhile, diver Tom Daley and rower Helen Glover have been confirmed as Team GB’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony in Paris.

‘This Olympics has been about enjoying it, embracing every moment and taking everything in as much as I can,’ said Daley, who came out of retirement to compete in the Olympics.

‘To be flagbearer too is just the icing on the cake.’

Glover, who is bidding to become a three-time Olympic champion, added: ‘I never thought I would be an Olympian. So being part of history as a flagbearer, I haven’t really got my head round it yet.

‘Everyone I have told so far has cried, and I cried when I was told, which goes to show how much of an honour it is and how much it means.’