Islamic UAE Fighter Disqualified After Throat-Cutting Gesture at Teenage Israeli Competitor (Video)

In a shocking turn of events at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Crete, Greece, a 13-year-old Israeli competitor, Daniel Boaron, was awarded the gold medal in the under-14 division after his Muslim Emirati opponent, Ahmed Alketbi, was disqualified for making a throat-cutting gesture directed at the Israeli delegation. This incident has once again highlighted the hostility faced by Israeli athletes on the international stage, particularly from competitors in Islamic countries where hatred of Jews and Israelis is rampant.

Initially, Boaron had lost by points in the final match to Alketbi, representing the United Arab Emirates. However, following his victory, Alketbi turned to the crowd and made the gesture. Members of the Israeli team immediately protested, citing the Islamic death threat as a clear breach of sportsmanship.

Daniel’s father, Amir Boaron, who also serves as his coach, brought the incident to the attention of the judges, demanding the Emirati’s disqualification. After hours of deliberation, the judging panel finally decided to strip Alketbi of his victory, awarding the gold to Boaron instead.

Reflecting on the situation, Amir Boaron shared, “While Alketbi later claimed his gesture wasn’t directed at Israel and offered an apology, the rules of sportsmanship are clear. Such behavior cannot be tolerated, especially in a professional sporting event.”

This incident is not isolated. The Israeli delegation reported facing hostility throughout the tournament, with negative reactions from athletes and audience members, particularly those from Islamic-majority countries like Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia. These ongoing threats showcase the persistent Jewish hatred that Israeli athletes encounter when competing internationally.

“We’ve experienced hostility from the beginning of the championship,” said Amir Boaron. “But these actions won’t deter us. We’ll proudly represent Israel and ensure our anthem is heard.”

Daniel, proud of his victory, expressed hope for future competitions, stating, “I’d love to meet him again in the finals to settle it on the mat. There’s no place for politics or hatred in sports.”

Other Israeli athletes also had successful showings at the event. In the under-21 division, several Israeli women won gold, including Maya Behar (under-63 kg), May Daniel (under-57 kg), and Michal Baly (under-52 kg). Young champions Zohar Sela and Lia Shalev took gold in the under-16 division, and Rotem Ben Natan secured a bronze.

This victory, amidst overt Islamic hostility, serves as a testament to Israeli resilience and the determination of its athletes to overcome adversity both on and off the mat.