Israel's embassy in Poland claimed that an Israeli children's judo team was attacked verbally and physically during a competition in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, on Saturday.
Israel's embassy in Poland said it was "deeply concerned by the violent incident" and that "there is no place for violence or antisemitic slurs of any kind, particularly in sport, which should promote respect, fairness, and cooperation among nations."
The embassy called on the Polish authorities to act promptly, investigate the incident, and ensure the team's safety.
The Israeli team comprised around 90 athletes aged 7 to 16 from three clubs in Israel. According to some Polish media reports, antisemitic slurs such as “Free Palestine” and “Look, the Jews are coming” were chanted at the team and their coaches throughout the day.
"It was shocking: The children, some very young, were trying to concentrate on their matches, but the insults and jeers were relentless," said one witness to 247 Sports.
Two of the Israeli team's coaches approached the referees to ask for intervention, at which point the situation reportedly deteriorated. A group of about 12 Polish men allegedly approached the coaches, raised their hands, and physically assaulted them in front of the young athletes and other participants.
Instead of punishing the attackers, the tournament's organizers decided to expel the entire Israeli delegation.
The Israeli delegation had to retreat to the hotel and remain there due to safety concerns.
Polish reports contradict, claim Israel's coach was aggressive
However, other Polish reports were contradictory. Bielsko-Biała's website said Israel's coach was aggressive with the referee because he was dissatisfied with the referee's decision. The coach allegedly shouted insults, broke into the ring, and "violated the physical integrity of the referee."
This report said organizers were forced to call the police, who officially disqualified the team.
Tomasz Chmielniak, president of the Janosik club in Bielsko, told TVN24 that "young Israeli players were certainly not attacked."
"If someone was attacked, it was the person refereeing (...) by a coach from Israel," he said.
The Bielsko police spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Sławomir Kocur, told Polish media that the Israeli coach made physical contact.
"We asked the parties (...) and informed them about the possibility of filing a report. None of them did. (…) The parties calmed down, and no one had any complaints against anyone," he said.