Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem December 3, 2017. REUTERS/Sebastian Scheiner/Pool Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Monday blasting the Iranian regime for forcing one of their wrestlers to forfeit a match so he wouldn’t have to face an Israeli.
Netanyahu began the video by recounting the story of Alireza Karimi-Machiani, who was on the path toward easily defeating Russian wrestler Alikhan Zhabrailov until his coach ordered him to quit the match, as Iran prohibits its athletes from facing any Israelis in a sporting match.
“Close your eyes and think about Alireza for a moment,” said Netanyahu. “He trained countless hours. He dreamed of becoming a world champion. But the Iranian regime would rather see its athletes lose than compete against Israelis.”
Netanyahu then put forth a suggestion to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
“I want you to film yourself playing a sport against someone of a different nationality, a different faith, a different color,” said Netanyahu. “I want you to compete like hell – we’re all for competition. Then I want you to shake hands, go out for a drink together and then upload this to social media.
Netayanhu continued, “I want you to show Iran’s regime that hating others will never make you a champion. It only makes you a pathetic and insecure loser.”
The Israeli prime minister provided some uplifting words for Karimi-Machiani.
“The tyrants who made you take a fall will fall themselves,” declared Netanyahu. “A regime that crushes the creative and competitive spirits of its people – that regime is doomed.”
The full video can be seen below:
I never imagined I'd say this… pic.twitter.com/vcjk7i0a6Q
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 4, 2017
When Karimi-Machiani was forced to forfeit the match, he lamented that he had trained for “months” and that “achieving a world medal is the only happiness for any of us.”
“Would it not be oppression if our authorities undermine my hard work again?” the Iranian wrestler told the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA).
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