Israeli Judokas Compete in Marrakech Grand Prix Amid Controversy

A dozen Israeli judokas have been taking part since yesterday (and until this Sunday) in this grand prix, reports the newspaper Al Massae, which recalls that the International Judo Federation plans sanctions for countries not respecting the charter, like Tunisia which had been deprived of organization for refusing to broadcast the Israeli national anthem.

Aware of these threats, the Moroccan authorities would have suggested to the Israeli athletes not to display the Israeli flag in case of victory, but will the instruction be followed?

Three years ago, while several Israeli judokas had taken part in the Rabat International Judo Open, the Moroccan organizers had "forgotten" the Israeli flag while those of the other countries were present. A way for the Moroccans to circumvent the regulations of the International Judo Federation. In addition, the Moroccan authorities had refused to issue visas to the security services and bodyguards of the athletes, promising to ensure the security of the judokas present on site themselves.