We are unfortunately all too used to reports of Arab and Muslim athletes refusing to compete against their Israeli opponents. So this next story is one for the books (hat tip: Follow Team Israel).
Algerian political bodies have rejected the participation of an Algerian swimmer in an international race against an Israeli athlete.
Political party, the Movement of Society for Peace said in a statement that it “had followed with great displeasure the participation of Algerian swimmer Abdullah Ardjoun in the 23rd edition of COMEN cup, which is taking place in the Maltese capital, Valat.”
“The Movement deplores this abhorrent behaviour and considers it a retreat from the Algerian attitude and firm policies towards the Palestinian cause and a betrayal of the national commitments which we have inherited from the martyrs, the Mujahideen and the great national political leaders,” the statement added.
Algeria has no formal or commercial relations with Israel.
Note the name of the political party that described Ardjoun’s swimming in the same race as an Israeli as “abhorrent behavior” – the Movement of Society for Peace. I’d suggest they are doing it all wrong!
