Attempts in the sporting world to address the hardships experienced by Palestinians

In the realm of sports, the participation of Israeli teams in European competitions, such as the EuroLeague basketball and cycling events, has been a subject of both interest and controversy.

Recent travels by Maccabi Tel Aviv's basketball team in Spain were marked by protests, both inside and outside venues. Similarly, the bicycle team, Israel-Premier Tech, has faced activism during their participation in Spanish territory.

One notable incident involved Frederic Kanouté, a former Sevilla star, who was fined 3,000 euros by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for celebrating a goal by lifting his jersey to reveal another supporting the Gazan people during a massacre in 2009.

Another team from Israel, Hapoel Tel Aviv, will play in the EuroLeague after winning its ticket as champion of the Eurocup. Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel Aviv played its games in Belgrade due to security concerns during protests in Spain.

In certain sports circles, there has been little discussion about Israel's participation in the upcoming EuroLeague. However, this limited public discourse is largely due to the nature of sports diplomacy and regional political dynamics. Israel participates in European sports leagues because many Arab and Asian countries refuse to compete against Israeli athletes, compelling Israeli sports associations to join European federations for competitive opportunities.

In basketball, clubs like Hapoel Tel Aviv actively seek means to enhance their competitiveness and visibility in EuroLeague, leveraging sponsorships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to attract international partners such as airline companies. This participation is generally framed around sports development and commercial interests rather than political or cultural controversies.

Reactions from fans and organizations tend to reflect a largely professional and competitive spirit within sports contexts. For instance, the Greek Federation's dismissal of rumours about star player Giannis Antetokounmpo’s participation in EuroBasket 2025 shows a focus on the athletic aspect rather than political disputes.

However, Israel’s participation in cultural events often draws more attention to geopolitical and social themes, sparking broader discussions due to the inherently political nature of cultural representation on international stages.

Notable examples include Palestino, a historic Chilean football club, simulating entering a match with four footballers to draw attention to the genocide of its people of origin. At a UEFA match, nine refugee children extended two large banners on the pitch that read "Stop killing children. Stop killing civilians."

The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement considers Israel-Premier Tech's participation as whitewashing of the Israeli state. Protests against Israel's participation in European competitions, particularly in basketball, have been observed in Spain.

Amnesty International published a legal analysis of the case, stating that the right to freedom of expression should be protected, including displays of support for the rights of the Palestinian (and Israeli) population. Liverpool captain Mohamed Salah questioned UEFA about the death of Suleiman al-Obeid, a Palestinian footballer shot dead by Israeli forces in a food queue in Gaza.

UEFA's tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid gained remarkable reach, surpassing one hundred million views on a tweet from Salah. These incidents highlight the intersection of sports and politics, and the complexities that arise when nations and teams compete on an international stage.

In conclusion, while sports participation often focuses on competition and commercial interests, the political and social implications of such participation cannot be ignored. As the world of sports continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these issues are addressed and navigated in the future.

Attempts in the sporting world to address the hardships experienced by Palestinians