Egyptian judoka sent home after refusing to shake Israeli's hand
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A week after a female Saudi Arabaian judo competitor allegedly forfeited her first-round match to avoid meeting an Israeli in the second round, Egyptian judoka Islam El Shehaby has been banished from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics for refusing to shake hands after losing to Israel’s Or Sasson.
Sasson twice bowed in El Shehaby’s direction and approached him with his hand extended after the victory, but the Egyptian backpedaled before walking away from the Israeli’s appreciative gesture.
The International Olympic Committee reprimanded El Shehaby after the act of poor sportsmanship, and the Egyptian Olympic delegation sent the judoka home on Monday, according to Reuters.
This is merely the latest in a string of anti-Israeli behavior at the Olympics. Lebanese delegation leader Salim al-Haj Nakoula barred the Israelis from boarding a bus to the Opening Ceremony, drawing a warning from the IOC. Days later, Saudi Arabia judoka Joud Fahmy withdrew from competition to avoid a second-round match with Israeli Gili Cohen, the Times of Israel reported.
[Related: Israeli Olympic team met with apparent anti-Semitism in Rio de Janeiro]
Neither Lebanon nor Saudi Arabia recognize Israel as an independent state. In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel with the signing of a peace treaty between the two countries.
While El Shehaby was ousted in the first round, Sasson went on to capture a bronze medal in judo.
