Derry Anti War Coalition protesting Israeli participation in Triathalon
Derry Anti War Coalition said it was “horrified to learn that athletes from Israel will be competing at the International Triathlon being staged in Derry at the weekend”.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Their participation flies in the face of the corporate Council position of supporting BDS - Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel.
These athletes will have had compulsory military service in the IDF, a force being investigated for genocide. It is beyond disgusting that these people can participate freely in sport while Palestinian athletes are maimed for life by their IDF comrades,” added the spokesperson.
“The efforts to stop Republic of Ireland v Israel soccer match has garnered international support and are overwhelmingly endorsed by the Irish people. Sport cannot be used to normalise an apartheid state guilty of genocide.
“The Derry Anti War Coalition says there should be no Israeli athletes allowed to participate in any international sporting event while Palestinians live under occupation and segregation.
“We call on all anti war and pro Palestinian groups in the city and beyond to endorse our call for these athletes to have their invitations rescinded by the organisers of ths triathlon. Participants from Derry need to step up , contact the organisers and register your disgust at having to share an event with people from a state charged with genocide. If these people from a pariah state are allowed to participate, then we ask all groups join us in peaceful protest against the event.”