Olympic Committee of Israel demands apology for Swiss TV ‘genocide’ comments

The Olympic Committee of Israel sends a formal letter of complaint demanding an apology from a Swiss broadcaster after its commentator spoke disparagingly about Israeli athlete AJ Edelman during his appearance at the two-man bobsleigh event on Monday.

“The remarks made during the broadcast were one-sided, political and inflammatory, and had no place on an Olympic platform,” writes OCI CEO Gili Lustig in the letter, dated today, addressed to the European Broadcasting Union and to Radio Télévision Suisse, the broadcaster in question.

“Such statements harm not only the athlete concerned and the Israeli delegation but also undermine the fundamental values of the Olympic Movement, foremost among them respect, equality, and unity among nations and athletes,” the letter adds.

During the live broadcast, commentator Stefan Renna spoke over the team’s entire two-minute run, questioning whether Edelman should be allowed to compete due to his “support of the genocide in Gaza.” RTS later said it was pulling the clip in question from its digital platforms, but said the content was “factual” and did not apologize.

Lustig writes that the commentary could put Edelman “at personal risk,” and notes that he and every member of Israel’s delegation “is participating in the Games in full accordance with the criteria and procedures established by the International Olympic Committee.”

The Olympic Committee of Israel says that it expects “the publication of a clear and public apology by RTS” as well as “an immediate review of the commentator’s continued involvement in Olympic-related broadcasts, including consideration of suspending the commentator from Olympic coverage.”

The IOC has so far declined to comment on the issue, saying concerns should be directed to the broadcaster in question.

Edelman is slated to appear again on Saturday and Sunday in the four-man bobsleigh event.