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.