2023-12-01 13:19:52
“My story from October 9 sparked many reactions and emotion that I understand. I apologize to those who felt hurt,” Émilie Gomis posted this Thursday on her Instagram account.
This message from the former basketball player, silver medalist at the London Olympics in 2012 and Paris 2024 ambassador, follows a position dated October 9, which caused controversy. Via her Instagram account, she spoke out after the Hamas attack by sharing an image in her story that sparked a reaction. It showed a map of France increasingly covered over the years by the Israeli flag, accompanied by a question: “What would you do in this situation?” »
This Thursday, she said: “In these difficult times, my thoughts go out to all the innocent victims affected by the wars and barbaric acts which are increasing around the world.” Before adding: “The accusations of anti-Semitism that I face are in total contradiction with the values that were instilled in me and those that sport taught me.”
“Loyalty and professional discretion”
On her Twitter account, the French basketball player regularly expresses her political opinions. She recently liked a post by controversial figure Louis Farrakhan, religious leader of the Nation of Islam. She also took a position on the presence of French troops in the Sahel by retweeting the words of Nathalie Yamb who called for their withdrawal.
Émilie Gomis, as ambassador for the 2024 Olympic Games, must “demonstrate loyalty and professional discretion”. Article 8 of the Paris 2024 Ethics Charter stipulates that members and employees of Paris 2024 must respect “the duty of reserve in their public expression” in order to avoid “any act which could harm the image or reputation of Paris 2024”.
“I condemn all forms of discrimination and I commit to working for a world where understanding and respect reign supreme,” she wrote again this Thursday.
Footballer Youssef Atal tried for provoking hatred in December
Recently, other publications surrounding the war between Hamas and Israel, such as that of Nice footballer Youssef Atal, had also been considered problematic. The OGC Nice defender was suspended by his club after sharing a controversial publication on the conflict in Israel.
Atal had shared a video (later deleted) of Palestinian Sheikh Mahmoud al-Hasanat, calling on God to send “a black day on the Jews” and to “accompany the hand of the people of Gaza if they throw stones.” He will be tried in December for provoking hatred on grounds of religion.
#apologize #felt #hurt #Émilie #Gomis #responds #accusations #antiSemitism