Lebanese champion banned after refusing to apologize for stepping on ‘Israeli’ flag

Lebanese kickboxing champion Nassib Hamada has been banned from competing in the WAKO World Championship in Uzbekistan after breaking and stepping on the ‘Israeli’ flag during the tournament’s opening ceremony.

Hamada said he acted in protest after noticing that the Palestinian flag was excluded from the event while the ‘Israeli’ flag was displayed although there were participants from Palestine.

He described his act as a rejection of “hypocrisy and dehumanization,” emphasizing that his stance was one of dignity and solidarity.

According to reports, the ‘Israeli’ embassy demanded his suspension from the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), which then moved to ban him unless he issued a formal apology. Hamada refused, saying, “Even if they were to take my life, I will never apologize.”

The athlete said he viewed his act as one of honor rather than regret, dedicating it to Lebanon and Palestine, and calling on “all free people” to take similar stands against injustice.