Iran

Iranian Weightlifter Banned for Taking Photo With Israeli Competitor

AUG 31 2023·Updated SEP 1 2023

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The Facts

Iran's weightlifting federation has banned 40-year-old athlete Mostafa Rajai from all sports facilities in the country for life, after he shook hands and took a photo with Israeli competitor Maksim Svirsky at the World Masters Competition on Saturday.
BBC News
The body claimed that he had "crossed the red lines of the Islamic Republic," which does not recognize Israel. The head of the weightlifting body's delegation to the competition in Poland has also been dismissed from his post over the incident.
The Times of Israel
The Israeli Weightlifting Federation has said that it supports "sports free from politics," noting that a handshake is a "minimal" gesture of respect. Rajai and Svirsky won a silver and bronze medal, respectively, in the non-professional competition for "legends" of the sport.
Forbes
Contact and competition with Israeli athletes is frowned upon in Iran, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei consistently praising those who refrain from competition against Israelis, even encouraging them to continue in the face of potential international sanctions.
Iran International
While some Iranian athletes have thrown games or feigned injuries to avoid Israeli athletes, others have opted to defect, including chess prodigy Alireza Firouzja who was told he could not compete in the 2019 world championship over concerns he might compete against an Israeli.
The Telegraph
In response to the policy, the International Judo Federation banned Iran from competition for four years in 2021.
Forbes

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The Spin

Pro-Israel narrative

As an enemy of the Jewish state, Iran will stop at nothing to try and isolate Israel and ostracize anyone who refuses to partake in their anti-Zionist crusade. It's completely absurd that a simple act of sportsmanship is having such far-reaching consequences.

The Jerusalem Post

Anti-Israel narrative

In solidarity with Palestine and Iran, among many other countries, international actors should refuse to dignify the criminal regime of Israel and hope that such actions can bring attention to their apartheid. This life ban isn't about sports, but about supporting the people of Palestine.

Palestine Chronicle