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TV broadcaster in Spain accuses Israeli swimming duo of cover for ‘genocide’

“Instead of highlighting the achievement of these Israeli athletes, Spanish channel @tv3cat’s commentator blames them for the killing of Palestinians,” posted the Combat Antisemitism Movement.

Eden Blecher (left) and Shelly Bobritzky will be among only nine artistic-duet teams to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. Credit: Israel Swimming Association/FINA.
Eden Blecher (left) and Shelly Bobritzky will be among only nine artistic-duet teams to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. Credit: Israel Swimming Association/FINA.

While two Israeli swimmers took to the podium to await the results in their final qualifying tournament before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a broadcaster with a TV station in Spain took the opportunity to make anti-Israel and anti-Semitic remarks. The competition took place from June 10-13 in Barcelona

According to Combat Antisemitism Movement, which posted about it earlier on Monday, “instead of highlighting the achievement of these Israeli athletes, Spanish channel @tv3cat’s commentator blames them for the killing of Palestinians and accused them of serving as a cover for ‘genocide.’ This inciteful rhetoric is a dangerous blood libel.”

Eden Blecher and Shelly Bobritzky, who competed in the artistic-duets category, are ranked sixth after Sunday’s qualifying competition, according to FINA, which oversees several of the aquatic categories internationally.

They will be among nine artistic-duets teams to compete in the Tokyo Olympics in late July.

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