Israel has raised concerns over an alleged antisemitic incident involving a children’s judo team in Poland, after claims that Israeli athletes were verbally abused and that coaches were physically assaulted during a competition. Polish authorities and tournament organisers have disputed key elements of the account, creating conflicting versions of what occurred, reports The Jerusalem Post.
According to Israel’s embassy in Poland, an Israeli youth judo delegation was subjected to verbal and physical attacks during a tournament in the city of Bielsko-Biała on Saturday. The embassy said it was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that there is no place for violence or antisemitic abuse in sport. It called on Polish authorities to promptly investigate and ensure the team’s safety.
The Israeli delegation reportedly included around 90 athletes aged between seven and sixteen from three judo clubs. Some Polish media outlets reported that antisemitic chants such as “Free Palestine” and “Look, the Jews are coming” were directed at the team and their coaches throughout the day. One witness told 247 Sports that the abuse was constant and distressing, particularly given the young age of many of the athletes.
According to these accounts, two Israeli coaches approached referees to request intervention. At that point, the situation allegedly escalated, with a group of around twelve Polish men confronting the coaches and physically assaulting them in front of children and spectators. Instead of removing those involved in the alleged attack, organisers reportedly expelled the entire Israeli delegation, which then returned to its hotel and remained there due to safety concerns.
Polish officials and local organisers, however, have offered a sharply different version of events. A statement published on the Bielsko-Biała municipal website claimed that an Israeli coach became aggressive towards a referee after disputing a decision. According to this account, the coach shouted insults, entered the competition area, and made physical contact with the referee, prompting organisers to call the police and disqualify the Israeli team.
Tomasz Chmielniak, president of the local Janosik judo club, told Polish television channel TVN24 that the young Israeli athletes were not attacked. “If someone was attacked, it was the referee,” he said, blaming the incident on the conduct of an Israeli coach.
Bielsko police spokesman Lieutenant Commander Sławomir Kocur said officers spoke to all parties involved. He stated that the Israeli coach made physical contact, but that no formal complaints were filed. “The parties calmed down, and no one had any complaints against anyone,” he said.
The conflicting accounts have left key questions unresolved, particularly regarding allegations of antisemitic abuse directed at children. The Israeli embassy has reiterated its call for a thorough investigation, emphasising that sporting events involving minors must be free from hate, intimidation, and violence.
Photo credit: Dor Pazuelo/Flash90
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