While Israel faced a challenging week at home, its Paralympians in Paris provided a source of pride and hope. As of press time, Israel has won 10 medals - a strong showing, though far behind China’s leading 184, placing Israel among the top 30 countries.
Amid news of the tragic murder of six hostages in Gaza, which sparked protests and labor strikes across Israel, its athletes secured medals in rowing and swimming. “We had in mind to give pride to the country,” said Israeli Paralympic rower Shahar Milfelder, who earned her first career medal on Sunday.
“I cried in the morning from the hard news, and now I cry from the good news. I send the biggest hug to the families of the hostages and all the citizens of Israel.” Milfelder and her partner, Saleh Shahin, won bronze in the PR2 mixed double sculls.
Also on Sunday, veteran rower Moran Samuel claimed her first-ever Paralympic gold in the PR1 women’s single sculls, marking her third career Paralympic medal.
Swimmer Mark Malyar won bronze in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S8 on Saturday, bringing his career total to four medals. Ami Dadaon added three more medals to his tally this week, with gold in the men’s 200-meter freestyle S4, silver in the men’s 150-meter individual medley SM4, and bronze in the men’s 50-meter freestyle S4.
In a historic moment, Israel’s women’s goalball team won silver, marking its first-ever Paralympic medal in the sport. Wheelchair tennis player Guy Sasson also claimed bronze in quad singles, just months after winning his first Grand Slam at the same venue.
On the U.S. side, Jewish athletes Ezra Frech and Ian Seidenfeld had their own successes. Frech, a 19-year-old track and field sensation, won gold on consecutive days in the men’s 100-meter and high jump, his first two career medals. Seidenfeld secured bronze in table tennis on Thursday.
* The Jewish Telegraphic Agency contributed to this article.