In the State of Israel, where any athletic achievement elevates the mood sky-high and calls for parties in the streets (better with fountains) and any sports failure is almost always equated with military defeat, the connection of politics and sports seems completely natural. Politicians love to be seen alongside successful athletes and frequently use athletic success for patriotic-nationalist purposes. In this realm, Minister of Sports Miri Regev has accomplished a great deal this past year.
In November 2017, we reported here at Al-Monitor on the refusal of Abu Dhabi, host of an international judo grand slam, to fly the Israeli flag among the flags of participating nations and to play the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, when the Israeli judoka Tal Flicker won the gold medal. Regev announced then that she would wage an international battle against such phenomena, and this pressure has indeed made a difference.
This past July, the World Judo Federation announced the cancelation of competitions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tunisia, two Arab nations that created difficulties regarding Israel’s flag and national anthem. In response, the UAE changed its policy. This past October, Regev arrived in Abu Dhabi as the head of the Israeli delegation of the Judo Association and celebrated her victory. The Israeli flag flew on the masts and on competitors’ outfits. Most importantly, the Israeli anthem was played twice when Sagi Muki and Peter Paltchik won gold medals.
Regev herself participated in Muki’s medal ceremony, and she shed tears as the national anthem played. It was notable that the hosts from Abu Dhabi showed her especially respectful hospitality, including a tour of sites in the principality, which was well covered by the media.
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