How Palestinian athletes are defying odds to amplify their nation’s voice

Palestinian athletes are overcoming major obstacles to achieve their goals as well as highlight their country's plight and struggles through the medium of sports.

The Israeli military offensive launched in Gaza since last October has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Palestinian enclave.

Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, reported that 400 athletes, volunteers, and sports workers have either been injured or killed due to the conflict.

Olympic endeavors

The journey to the Paris Olympics was a tough road for the Palestinian athletes. In Gaza, much of the sports infrastructure has been destroyed, while athletes in the occupied West Bank face numerous challenges in simply participating in sports.

In the run-up to the Paris Olympics, Palestinian athletes had been given support by Arab nations, including Kuwait, Qatar, Libya and Egypt, to allow training in those countries.

Team Palestine parade along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games.Reuters

Despite these hardships, the presence of Palestinian athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics was seen as a significant achievement.

The Palestinian delegation to the Paris Olympics, their eighth participation since 1996, consisted of eight athletes, an increase from the five athletes who competed in Tokyo in 2021.

Only one athlete, taekwondo competitor Omar Ismail, met the official qualification standards, while the remaining seven received special invitations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Ismail qualified directly at the Asian qualifying tournament in China, marking a milestone as the first Palestinian to qualify in a combat sport without a "wild card" entry.

Omar Ismail represented Palestine in the Paris 2024 Olympics in taekwondo. Palestine Olympic Committee

“I represent the Palestinians. I hope that when young people see me, they tell themselves that they can achieve their dreams, that they can work on themselves, that they can be like me or even better than me,” Ismail told RMC Sport in April.

Swimmer Valerie Tarazi, who received an invitation to the Games, spoke about the privilege of representing her country and the emotional weight she carries.

Palestinian swimmer Valerie Tarazi during a training session in Paris.Reuters

"I said it before but I'm one of the luckiest people in the world. I have the opportunity to compete for my country, to raise the flag for my country," Tarazi said.

"My heart is with them. Every time I swim, every time I jump in the pool, I'm thinking about the people of Palestine, their struggles. And I just want to represent them in the best way possible," she added.

Though none of the Palestinian athletes won medals, their participation in the Olympics sent a powerful message of perseverance and hope.

The sole Paralympian representing Palestine

Fadi Aldeeb, a 40-year-old athlete from Gaza, was the sole representative of Palestine at the Paris Paralympics.

Paraplegic since 2001, when he was shot by an Israeli soldier during the second Intifada, Aldeeb faced another profound tragedy nine months ago when his brother was killed in an Israeli airstrike on their home.

Despite this immense personal loss, Aldeeb carried the Palestinian flag with pride at the Games' opening ceremony.

Fadi Aldeeb leads the Palestinian contingent during the Paralympic opening ceremonyReuters

Competing in the men’s shot put for seated athletes, he achieved a personal best throw of 8.81 meters, though it did not place him among the top contenders.

Remaining in the Paralympic Village after his event, Aldeeb used the platform to raise awareness about the dire conditions in Palestine.

"When we raise the flag here in Paris, we are showing that we are still alive, that we still need our human rights, and that we still need our freedom," Aldeeb said.

Palestinian football soars to new heights

Palestine athletes are not just merely participating but also achieving new milestones in their sports history.

Palestine are competing in the third stage of the 18-nation World Cup qualifiers for the first time, with the opportunity to secure one of Asia's eight direct spots for the 2026 finals.

Due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Palestine has to play its home matches abroad, often in other Middle Eastern countries.

According to the Palestine Football Association, the war has claimed the lives of at least 92 Palestinian players, and the country’s football infrastructure has been destroyed. The domestic football league has been suspended, and many players are without clubs.

Despite these obstacles, Palestine performed commendably in their first-ever appearance in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying. They held their own in a tough match against South Korea, ranked 23rd in FIFA’s standings, with the game ending in a 0-0 draw in Seoul on September 5.

Palestine's goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh celebrates after the match in South Korea.Reuters

Under the guidance of Tunisian coach Makram Daboub, Palestine have made significant strides this year. They achieved their first-ever victory in the Asian Cup, defeating Hong Kong 3-0, and advanced to the knockout stages, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Qatar, the eventual champions.

In preparation for their match against South Korea, the team trained in Malaysia and will return there to prepare for their next qualifier against Jordan, which will be considered a home match but played in Kuala Lumpur. Palestine advanced to this stage by finishing second in their qualifying group behind Australia, with a record of two wins, two draws, and two losses from six matches.

Belal Muhammad: The first UFC Champion of Palestinian origin

Belal Muhammad recently made history by becoming the first mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter of Palestinian descent to claim a UFC title.

Muhammad, who is 36 and was born in Chicago to Palestinian immigrants, said that his achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a victory for Palestinians and the people of Gaza.

Before his fight in Manchester, England, he was seen proudly displaying the Palestinian flag during his weigh-in.

Belal Muhammad during the weigh-ins in Manchester.Reuters

To honor his heritage, Muhammad chose to walk out to the song "Dammi Falastini" ("My Blood is Palestine") by Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf.

“There aren’t a lot of Palestinian athletes that have a stage or platform where they can carry the flag,” he said in an Aljazeera report.

In preparation for his title fight against Leon Edwards, Muhammad credited Dagestani former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov for his invaluable guidance.

Belal has previously trained with Khabib, who is well aware of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. During UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey this past June, Khabib used his meeting with former US President Donald Trump to address the issue.

Khabib meets former US President Donald Trump during UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey in June.Instagram/aliabdelaziz

In their encounter, Khabib urged Trump to put an end to the conflict in Gaza should he be re-elected in the upcoming November presidential elections.

“I know you’re going to stop all this Palestine war,” said Khabib. “We’ll stop it. I’ll get it stopped,” Trump replied.

Solidarity in Pakistan Super League

Support for Palestine extends beyond the Middle East, with solidarity shown in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Islamabad United’s PSL season nine victory featured players waving the Palestinian flag during post-final celebrations, bringing global attention to the Palestinian plight.

Islamabad United’s captain Shadab Khan (L) celebrates after their victory against Multan Sultans during the Pakistan Super League final match at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 19.AFP

The Palestinian athletes are fighting a battle that extends far beyond the confines of the sports arena. On the field, they compete with remarkable skill and determination, showcasing their talents and dedication despite the many obstacles they face. Off the field, their struggle takes on a deeper significance as they use their platforms to voice the challenges and injustices faced by their nation.

It's essential for the global sports community to support them, recognizing that their fight is not just for athletic success but for human rights and dignity.