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Israel 'sorry' over Olympic medallist's slur on Chinese



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Published Date: 11 September 2008
AN ISRAELI cabinet minister apologised yesterday after Israel's only Beijing Olympics medallist insulted Chinese people in a newspaper interview.
Israeli windsurfing bronze medallist Shahar Zubari described the Chinese as "sh*ts" in an interview with the Yediot Ahronot daily on Friday. "After a month and a half I couldn't look at Chinese people any more," he said.

"Their traditions are bizarre and even their speech is weird," he added. He later apologised.

Israel's sport and culture minister, Galeb Majadle, called Chinese ambassador Zhao Jun to condemn Zubari's comments.

Mr Majadle, who attended the Olympics, told the ambassador they "do not reflect the views of the Israeli people toward the Chinese people," and praised the Chinese for their hospitality during the Games.





The full article contains 129 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 10 September 2008 10:40 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: 2008 Olympics
 
1

Scullion,

Canada 11/09/2008 01:13:25
Hmm, antisinotism perhaps?
2

Guga II,

Rockall 11/09/2008 01:21:10
I'm quite sure that many people consider the Israelis "traditions" as bizarre, and their speech as weird.

In any event, the comment by this Israeli is, in itself, quite bizarre, considering they are usually the first ones to start shouting about anti-semitism (despite the fact that Arabs are also Semites).
3

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 11/09/2008 02:21:58
#2 Guga II

"I'm quite sure that many people consider the Israelis "traditions" as bizarre, and their speech as weird"

Yes, I've not seen a tradition any more bizarre than a bunch of weirdly dressed men with strange haircuts banging their heads against a wall whilst mumbling unintelligible sounds.

This guy's medal should be confiscated for his display of disrespect.
4

Dragonhead,

Dalian,China 11/09/2008 02:52:57
Yes I suppose traditions here are strange to many folk in the west,ie: The Family group is the mainstay of the Nation;Education is revered;People respect one another;Public areas and facilities (exercise equipment etc)is respected and not vandalized, etc,etc.
'The strength of a nation derives from integrity of the home'(Kongzi)Confucius.Look at your society and it's fast disappearing traditions and compare daily life. No propoganda or lies needed.Just diggers and bulldozers to dig your heads out of the sand.
5

Kate,

Zurich 11/09/2008 07:28:33
All cultures have traditions and habits which may seem strange to people of other cultures, but the comments by this so-called "sportsman" were uncalled for and disgraceful. He should be stripped of his medal.
6

Dougie - Edinburgh,

11/09/2008 08:24:36
Jewish people are hypersensitive to any criticism of themselves as an ethnic group but many don't seem to see the hypocrisy in criticising others.
7

Lobeydoser,

11/09/2008 10:11:04
When it comes to thickos, Zubari is up there with the best of them. Of course, he's only an amateur compared to some of the racists on this blog.
8

Lynne,

Palm Beach Gardens 11/09/2008 12:24:53
I'm still waiting to see the apology from the Cubans about what they said about the boxing referees and the judges.
9

Mashimaro,

China 11/09/2008 13:49:20
Quite honestly this doesn't bug me as much as Coe getting away with calling our PLA torch guard "thugs". He should have lost his job for this.
10

Media 1,

cape town 11/09/2008 14:28:53
Blatant anti Chinatism!

But I predict that the Chinese will be to mature to take it any further - If ONLY some others could laugh at themselves! Wishful thinking me thinks
11

James Donald,

Newbridge 11/09/2008 14:41:25
Haaretz reports that Zubari referred to the Chinese as "scum".
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1019605.html
As Zubari is a serving soldier and assuming that Israeli military law prohibits such racist outbursts, perhaps he will be cleaning the lavvies with a tooth brush for a few days as punishment. Also a few lessons on tact and diplomacy to prepare him for the London Olympics, should he be picked to represent Israel there.
12

Mashimaro,

China 11/09/2008 15:50:29
#11 "As Zubari is a serving soldier and assuming that Israeli military law prohibits such racist outbursts, perhaps he will be cleaning the lavvies with a tooth brush for a few days as punishment. "

You really have been in a coma
13

,

11/09/2008 16:24:29
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
14

mike - across the pond,

good lord 11/09/2008 16:47:42
when did we loose the ability to laugh?

bet the chinese thought HE talked funny... had wierd traditions... and ate WIERD food...

and there's MORE chinese!!!!

heck ALL ya ALL look funny... dress funny.... and eat wierd food...

lol

did the room just get quiet?

and theres very few amongst us who after being away doesnt look forward to being "home".... where things are "normal" and people dont talk funny....
15

James Donald,

Newbridge 11/09/2008 17:05:39
#12 Mashimaro,Red China - Good grief, Zippy. I thought a so-called journalist would be able to spot sarcasm more easily than most.
16

Pilrig,

Livingston 11/09/2008 18:20:50
What a silly billy. Maybe the surfer is related to the Duke of Embra ?
17

Pilrig,

Livingston 11/09/2008 18:23:11
14 - John McCain talks funny, in fact he sounds a wee bit like Mickey Mouse : )
18

,

11/09/2008 21:12:43
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
19

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 11/09/2008 22:53:07
#17 Pilrig

"John McCain talks funny"

He, like most Americans speaks a form of English just as they do in Papua New Guinea.
20

Let's have the truth,

Queensland 11/09/2008 22:56:14
"Israel 'sorry' over Olympic medallist's slur on Chinese"

There must be a big deal in the offing as this must be the first apology ever made by Israel to anyone in history.
21

steve's here,

north 12/09/2008 00:22:46
Pilrig, why are you slaggin off Mickey Mouse? :)
22

Billy Boy,

Sherman Oaks California 20/09/2008 16:08:18
Everything has to be considered in the proper perspective. To many Israelis life in Israel is "perfect" that being the case,everything else has to be weird! This, unfortunately, is the view of many "Jews" that they are better than everyone else. This attitude has not garnered them many friends.

 

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