The German government has affirmed its opposition to excluding Israeli teams and athletes from international sporting events. Christiane Schenderlein, State Minister for Sport and Volunteering in the Federal Chancellery, expressed this view in an interview with the Tagesspiegel, emphasizing the potential detrimental impact on the integrity of sport.
Schenderlein stated her firm rejection of proposals to bar Israeli participation, acknowledging that such demands are currently being considered within international organizations such as UEFA and FIFA. She underscored the belief that athletic competition should remain independent of political disputes, even as she recognized the inherent link between sport and societal values.
The discussion follows calls from several experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, who last week urged FIFA and UEFA to take action against Israel’s participation in response to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, where a significant civilian population faces displacement and humanitarian crisis.
The Turkish Football Association was the first UEFA member to publicly advocate for Israel’s exclusion from international competitions. Their president, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, cited the “unbearable and unacceptable” situation in Gaza in a letter addressed to FIFA and UEFA, calling for immediate action. While acknowledging the importance of addressing social and political issues, Schenderlein cautioned against utilizing sporting arenas as platforms for political conflict.
