A tense moment at the Wheelchair Basketball Nations Cup in Cologne turned into a storm of criticism after Britain’s wheelchair basketball team visibly protested during the Israeli national anthem.
On Saturday, spectators were shocked as players turned their wheelchairs away from the Israeli flag while “Hatikvah” played, sparking condemnation from officials, politicians, and sports fans alike.
The protest came amid ongoing outrage over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with Britain’s players claiming their actions were intended as a statement for peace.
Yet many observers have labeled the act as “hugely offensive” and “shameful,” arguing that politics has no place on the sports court.
Turning Away Sparks Accusations of Disrespect
As the national anthem began, British players were seen swiveling their wheelchairs away from the podium and Israeli flag.
The coaching staff did not join the protest, but the gesture has been widely described as an insult to the Israeli team and to the spirit of international sportsmanship.
The Israeli Paralympic Committee has formally lodged a complaint with the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), urging sanctions against athletes who repeat such behavior.
Moshe “Mutz” Matalon, chairman of the committee, said the act “goes against the spirit of Paralympic sports” and called it deeply disrespectful to both the athletes and the State of Israel.
Israeli Team Reacts to the Snub
The Israeli players only learned of the protest after the match ended, as they were facing away from the British team during the anthem.
Ilay Yarhi, a player on Israel’s squad, called the act “an attack on our dignity as players.”
He added that it felt like the British team was bringing unrelated political issues onto the court, creating a humiliating experience for the Israeli athletes.
Some Israeli players later attempted to confront the British athletes to understand their motives.
According to Yarhi, a few of the British players explained it as a protest in favor of world peace and against war.
“Some wanted to come and talk and apologise – but we didn’t agree because, if you don’t respect us, you don’t deserve any respect in return,” he said.
Voices of Concern and Outrage
The incident drew immediate condemnation from politicians and former athletes.
Lord Ian Austin, former Labour MP, called it “hugely offensive” and said the gesture brought shame on the British team.
He noted that the Israeli squad represents a diverse society, with Jewish and Arab players working together to achieve success.
“The British basketball team must apologise and ensure this never happens again,” Austin said, warning that failure to do so could even impact taxpayer funding.
British Wheelchair Basketball receives nearly £5 million in UK Sport funding for the 2028 Paralympics, adding extra scrutiny to the team’s conduct.
Calls for Accountability
ParalympicsGB had already reminded athletes not to engage in political protests during sporting events following this incident.
A spokesman for British Wheelchair Basketball said: “We are aware of the incident during the Israeli national anthem at the Nations Cup and are continuing discussions internally after conversations with ParalympicsGB, IWBF, and the Israeli Paralympic Committee.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli Paralympic Committee insists that any repetition of such conduct should be met with severe sanctions to protect the dignity of sport and ensure respect for all competitors.
Families Highlight the Human Side of Sport
For many, the protest overshadowed the unifying spirit of sport.
Zimra Vigoda, whose son plays for the Israeli team, highlighted that Jewish, Muslim, and Christian families have cheered together for their children.
She emphasized that, despite war and division, the Israeli athletes maintain a strong bond that transcends politics, reinforcing the role of sports as a force for connection and understanding.
