German channel ZDF 'omits' Palestine during Paralympics opening ceremony

German broadcaster ZDF seemingly omitted the word Palestine during commentary on the Paralympics Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, as a delegation comprising a Palestinian athlete, coaches and staff paraded in Paris.

In a video clip shared online, the commentator can be heard discussing a number of countries’ beginning with P as the respective athletes presented themselves in the French capital’s Place de la Concorde, to mark the start of the Games.

The German commentator mentioned Pakistan, Panama and Papua New Guinea, but appeared to leave out Palestine, which came alphabetically after Pakistan.

The Palestinian delegation is comprised of only one athlete – shot-putter Fadi Aldeeb, who hails from Gaza. During opening ceremonies, however, coaches and other members of staff also parade with the athletes.

Ironically, Aldeeb who was the flag bearer for Palestine on the night, trains in Germany.

Aldeeb’s participation in the Paris Paralympics has been called "remarkable", given that at least 15 members of his family have been killed by Israel during the brutal war on the Gaza Strip, ongoing since October 7.

In an interview with CNN in the lead-up to his Paralympics participation, Aldeeb said he was determined to keep going with his training despite the death and destruction occurring in Gaza at the hands of the Israeli army.

The shot-putter said he was "happy" and "lucky" to participate in the 17th edition of the Games.

Aldeeb said: "I’m here as a Palestinian to give the world a message that Palestine is here, we are not dying and there’s people searching in Gaza, in Palestine, for humanity, human rights and everything like this."

Over the course of the war in Gaza, Germany has maintained a pro-Israel stance, and attempted to muzzle acts of pro-Palestinian solidarity, cracking down on protests, rallies and other events in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

As of August, two pro-Palestinian activists are currently facing trial in the country for chanting the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".

German police have broken up Gaza solidarity demonstrations, arrested activists and even barred Palestinians such as renowned surgeon Ghassan Abu Sittah from entering the country.

Germany's support for Israel is widely believed to be rooted in its historic responsibility for the Holocaust.