An Iranian weightlifter has been banned for life by the authorities in his country after he shook hands with an Israeli competitor at a world championship event in Poland. The gesture of sportsmanship has sparked outrage and condemnation from the Iranian regime, which does not recognize Israel and forbids any contact between its athletes and Israelis.
A Handshake that Crossed the Red Lines
The incident took place on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the World Masters Weightlifting Championship in Wieliczka, Poland. Mostafa Rajaei, an Iranian weightlifter in his 40s, had won the bronze medal in the 102 kg category, while Maksim Svirsky, an Israeli weightlifter, had clinched the silver medal. After receiving their medals, the two athletes shook hands and posed for a photo on the podium.
The handshake was captured on video and shared on social media by the German sports channel DLF Sport. The video quickly went viral and drew mixed reactions from the public. Some praised Rajaei and Svirsky for their display of respect and friendship, while others criticized Rajaei for betraying his country and violating its laws.
A Lifetime Ban and a Dismissal
The Iranian Weightlifting Federation did not take kindly to Rajaei’s gesture. On Monday, August 28, 2023, the federation issued a statement announcing that Rajaei had been banned for life from entering all sports facilities in Iran and participating in any weightlifting competitions. The statement also said that Hamid Salehinia, the head of the Iranian delegation for the championship, had been dismissed from his position.
The federation accused Rajaei of “crossing the red lines of the Islamic republic” and said that he had “disgraced” the Iranian nation and its values. The federation also claimed that Rajaei had acted on his own and without the support or knowledge of the federation. It added that it would take legal action against Rajaei and Salehinia for their “unacceptable” behavior.
A History of Avoidance and Defiance
This is not the first time that an Iranian athlete has faced backlash for interacting with an Israeli counterpart. Iran does not recognize Israel as a legitimate state and considers it an enemy. Therefore, it prohibits its athletes from competing against or having any contact with Israelis in international events. Iranian athletes who violate this rule face severe consequences, such as bans, fines, imprisonment, or even death threats.
For years, Iranian athletes have tried to avoid meeting Israelis in competitions, often by forfeiting matches, faking injuries, or citing religious reasons. However, some Iranian athletes have defied this policy and expressed their solidarity with Israeli athletes. For example:
- In 2019, Alireza Firouzja, a young chess prodigy, left Iran and became a naturalized French citizen after he was banned from playing in the world championship for fear he would face an Israeli player.
- In 2020, Saeid Mollaei, a former world champion judoka, fled Iran and obtained Mongolian citizenship after he was pressured to lose a match to avoid facing an Israeli opponent. He later competed against an Israeli judoka and hugged him after the match.
- In 2021, Kimia Alizadeh, a bronze medalist taekwondo fighter, defected from Iran and joined the refugee team at the Tokyo Olympics. She competed against an Israeli athlete and said she was sorry for her country’s stance on Israel.
A Hope for Peace and Dialogue
Despite the harsh reaction from the Iranian authorities, Rajaei’s handshake with Svirsky has been seen by many as a sign of hope and goodwill between the two nations. Some have called for more dialogue and cooperation between Iranian and Israeli athletes to promote peace and understanding in the region.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has also expressed its support for Rajaei and Svirsky. The IWF said that it was proud of their “exemplary display of sportsmanship” and that it would stand by them in case of any repercussions. The IWF also said that it would continue to work towards fostering a culture of respect and tolerance among all weightlifters.
