Israel’s men’s fencing team captured a gold medal Saturday at the Under-23 European Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, marking a major achievement for the squad.
However, the victory was marred by controversy after members of the Swiss team, who won silver, turned their backs during the playing of Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem.
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Swiss fencing teams turn their backs as Israel's national anthem is playing at the Under-23 European Championships
(Photo: Team Bizzi)
Representing Israel were Alon Sarid, Fyodor Khoperski, Yonatan Messika and Itamar Tavor. Along with coach Alexander Ivanov and the professional staff, they expressed disappointment at the Swiss team's behavior, saying they regretted that a moment of athletic triumph became a platform for political hostility. "For us, sports should bring people together, not divide them," a representative of the Israel Fencing Association said.
Ranked seventh at the start of the competition, Israel automatically advanced to the round of 16, where it defeated host nation Estonia 45-38. The team then stunned second-seeded Sweden with a commanding 45-33 victory and overcame a strong Italian squad by the same score. In the final, Israel bested Switzerland 45-34.
In a statement, the Israel Fencing Association called the result "an extraordinary achievement that highlights the ability, sportsmanship and determination of our athletes." The association congratulated Ivanov for his "inspiring and professional leadership" and praised the team’s accomplishment as a "great source of Israeli pride."
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also weighed in, writing on social media: "Congratulations to Israel’s Under-23 fencing team for winning the gold medal at the European Championships. Congratulations as well to Italy’s team for earning the bronze. Shame on the Swiss team for their disrespectful behavior, which disgraced and embarrassed the country they were supposed to represent."
