Tal Flicker of Israel, in blue. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

The Israeli Judo champion, who had to sing “HaTikvah” a capella on the winner’s podium due to a discriminatory ban on the Israeli flag and anthem, speaks out about his brave decision.

Tal Flicker, the Israeli judoka who won gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam judo tournament, had to sing his own “Hatikvah” and stand under the International Judo Federation’s flag because the anti-Israel organizers refused to play the Jewish state’s national anthem or display Israeli symbols.

The International Judo Federation demanded that the Arab hosts of this tournament treat Israeli athletes equally and permit the display of Israeli symbols, but these demands were ignored.

Watch Flicker speak about why he decided to sing the Israeli national anthem on his own.






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