The possibility of peace from Israel after the invasion of Gaza also opens a hopeful window in the sporting arena. Over the past two years, since the conflict in Palestine began, controversy and protest actions have conditioned the practice of sport wherever there was an Israeli flag, making it difficult to access facilities and to develop competitions normally. With the permanent ceasefire decreed this Thursday, that scenario could change significantly, opening the way to a recovery of normality where sport alone is the protagonist.
In a context of reconstruction, sport can become a powerful social tool. The best example took place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where athletes representing rival countries coexisted without any problems. It was a faithful reflection of the power of sport and its values. That coexistence was one of the great achievements that will remain forever in memory.
It will never be the same, but…
The new scenario would facilitate the participation of Palestinian and Israeli athletes in international competitions without the political barriers that currently condition their presence. Yet nothing will ever be the same, given that, according to the Palestinian Olympic Committee, more than 600 Palestinian athletes lost their lives in this Israeli offensive, including more than 300 footballers such as Rashid Dabour and Mohammed Barakat; as well as other distinguished figures like Ibrahim Qusaya, a player on the Palestinian national volleyball team; Mohamed al-Dalou, president of the Palestinian Table Tennis Federation; and Nagham Abu Samra, Palestinian karate champion.
Perhaps this is the right moment for different international organizations to strengthen their role in the region to build bridges and ease hostilities. From FIFA to the International Olympic Committee, global sport has often demonstrated the ability to unite peoples and cultures in contexts of conflict. In Gaza and Israel, a stable peace would make it possible to implement inclusion and training programs that have been unfeasible in recent years. Still, the fine print of this promising peace remains to be seen, and whether all parties are truly satisfied with the agreement. Hopefully so.
Lessons from recent history
Looking back, sport has often been a glue. Perhaps the most famous case was South Africa, where, after apartheid, rugby and football became symbols of national reconciliation. For humanity, that legendary 1995 Rugby World Cup, won by the Springboks and handed the trophy by Nelson Mandela to his captain, remains unforgettable. In the Balkans, despite deep divisions, basketball and water polo helped rebuild relations between rival communities. Why shouldn’t Gaza and Israel now find inspiration in these examples? It is true that sport will not erase wounds, but it does extend a hand and foster coexistence.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (14507483z)
Simon Clarke of Australia, Marco Frigo of Italy, Hugo Hofstetter of France, Nick Schultz of Australia and Team Israel – Premier Tech prior to the 107th Giro d’Italia 2024, Stage 12, a 193km stage from Martinsicuro to Fano are seen in Martinsicuro, Italy, on May 16th, 2024.
107th Giro d’Italia 2024 – Stage 12, Martinsicuro, Italy – 16 May 2024
Cycling also shows how sport is used as an international platform. The Israel – Premier Tech team, present in the Grand Tours and on the WorldTour, has been criticized for being dragged into political debate (its owner, Adam Sylver, is closely aligned with Benjamin Netanyahu). A real peace would open the possibility for its message to focus on sport. In fact, from 2026 it will no longer bear that name or carry any symbol associated with the state of Israel, a gesture that indicates the willingness for sport to reign above all else.
The risk of instrumentalization
It is also true that experience has shown that sport can be used as a political tool. The challenge will be to prevent it from becoming a propaganda showcase and to ensure that gestures of cooperation are not limited to photo opportunities. The key will lie in authentic, honest, and integral projects designed for coexistence and the consolidation of peace.
With consolidated peace, sport in the region could once again fulfill its most essential function: to unite, educate, and open horizons. But before any of this can happen, peace must be fully confirmed, and it must be one in which all parties are genuinely satisfied. From there, sport will do its work for society.
