Algerian judoka refuses to face Israeli rival at Olympics

The Algerian judoka, Messaoud Redouane Dris, withdrew from the match with the Israeli judoka, Tohar Butbul, because of the genocidal war in Gaza. The two were scheduled to face each other in the -73 kg category, but the challenge did not take place.

Dris is the second Algerian judoka to drop out of the Olympics after refusing to play an Israeli competitor.

In 2021, Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine withdrew from a bout against Butbul at the Tokyo Games. Nourine said at the time that he made the decision because of his political support for the Palestinian cause. The International Judo Federation handed him a 10-year ban in response.

This year's Olympics are taking place amid calls to ban Israel from participating. Numerous protests have been held in France, but the French government has yet to react.

"Algeria's competitor has withdrawn from the competition," the Israeli Olympic Committee responded in a press release. "The Israeli delegation will continue to compete with Olympic values ??in mind. We believe that this type of behavior has no place in the world of sport."