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Swiss Fencers Apologize for Medal Ceremony Gesture at U23 European Championships

The athletes clarified their actions were meant to express empathy for civilian suffering and not as a political statement, following an official warning from the European Fencing Federation.

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Die Schweizer Fechter hatten sich bei der Siegerehrung nicht der Israel-Flagge zugewandt.
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Overview

  • Four Swiss U23 fencers apologized for not facing the Israeli flag during the medal ceremony after winning silver behind Israel in Tallinn.
  • The athletes emphasized their gesture was not politically motivated and was not intended to disrespect Israel.
  • They explained their actions reflected mourning and empathy for civilian suffering on all sides of the Israel–Palestine conflict.
  • The European Fencing Federation issued an official warning to the athletes, though further sanctions remain uncertain.
  • Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the gesture as disrespectful, intensifying international scrutiny of the incident.