Israelis in Rio endure 'shocking' hostility, taunting by Muslim nations...

Israelis in Rio endure 'shocking' hostility, taunting by Muslim nations...

The 2016 Olympic Games have been billed as an opportunity to put politics aside in the spirit of international camaraderie, but that’s not necessarily how it’s working out for Israeli athletes. 

Animosity toward the 47-member delegation has triggered a reprimand from the International Olympic Committee and alarm from Jewish groups such as the Anti-Defamation League, which issued a statement this week decrying anti-Israel “hostility” in Rio de Janeiro. 

“Shocking but not surprisingly, the Lebanese and Saudi delegations obviously have the wrong idea about the Olympic Games,” said a statement Wednesday by Roz Rothstein, CEO of the pro-Israel group Stand With Us. 

“Instead of using the events to forget animosity and promote peace between people, they have brought their brainwashed minds to Rio,” she said. 

“How unfortunate that they could not implement the good, peaceful intentions of the Olympics, and instead have used it as a forum to spread hate and continued rejection of peace.” 

The confrontations with delegations of nations traditionally hostile to Israel have marred an otherwise successful Olympics for Israel. 

Two days ago, judo fighter Yarden Gerbi won the bronze medal, making her the nation’s first medal winner since the 2008 Olympics. 

Instead, Olympic organizers placed the Israeli athletes on a “special vehicle,” said Israeli sailing team trainer Udi Gal. 

“The bus driver opened the door, but this time the head of the Lebanese delegation blocked the aisle and entrance,” Mr. Gal said on Facebook. 

“The organizers wanted to avoid an international and physical incident and sent us away to a different bus.” He said he was “enraged and shocked by this event.”