In a strong rebuke to global inaction, IWF Vice President Ursula Garza Papandrea warns that history will judge today’s silence with shame.
Silence Is No Longer Acceptable
Ursula Garza Papandrea, Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and a former President of USA Weightlifting, described the international community’s silence toward Israel’s actions as “unbelievable.” She declared that her conscience would not permit her to remain silent in the face of such blatant injustice. According to Papandrea, the issue transcends politics—it is a matter of basic human morality.
She asserted, “Genocide is utterly inexcusable and violates the very core of human conscience. The facts already reveal who is the oppressor and who is the oppressed. History will judge all parties involved with the same severity we apply to genocides committed in World War II.”
From Personal Conviction to Public Stance
Papandrea, who holds academic credentials in political science, emphasized how her empathy as a human being and a mother compels her to speak out. She said, “I am deeply affected by the suffering of the Palestinian people. My heart burns for them; my whole being cries out that the world must wake up and stop this injustice.”
She also acknowledged receiving warnings and threats in response to her stand, but dismissed them: “Naturally, I have faced pressure and threats, yet nothing can compare to the suffering of the people of Palestine.”
Sports, Solidarity, and Iranian Weightlifting
Turning to her world of sport, Papandrea praised recent international weightlifting competitions held in Norway, saying they were conducted with excellence and showing that even a small city can play a major role in the sport’s development.
She also offered high praise for Iranian women weightlifters, noting their rapid progress over a short period. Papandrea cited Elham Hosseini and Poupak Bastami as shining examples, affirming that given enough support, they could reach the same world-class levels as men.
A Hope to Return to Iran
Reflecting on her previous visit to Iran in 2018, Papandrea expressed admiration for the hospitality she experienced. She said she hopes to return—not only for weightlifting events, but also to visit Iran’s historic cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, and Persepolis.