Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called Israeli judoka Or Sasson Saturday evening and congratulated him on his Olympic bronze medal win. He also noted that by attempting to shake the hand of his defeated Egyptian rival – an approach that the Egyptian rebuffed – he had "shown Israel's true face, as a strong nation that seeks peace."
"This is the real Israel. While good relations are developing with the region's countries, there is still a lot of work to be done, and the horrible propaganda against us [is a matter that] needs to be improved," Netanyahu told the athlete in the phone conversation, which was carried live on TV Channel 2. "I am not giving up on that and that day, too, will come, with God's help."
"You accomplished a wonderful achievement – personal, national and international," the Israeli leader said. "I think we all saw how you lived out your dream. You showed that if you want something enough, you work hard enough and you dare enough, you can achieve your dreams."
"I think every boy and girl in Israel and the world saw not just a great athlete, but a person of values as well," Netanyahu added.