My support for sports projects in Israel is not ‘sportswashing’ | Letter

Sylvan Adams, co-owner of the Israel Start-Up Nation pro cycling team, says his sports initiatives look to build bonds of coexistence and understanding

Jonathan Liew's decision to attack my support for sports projects in Israel as sportswashing" is perhaps the most ringing endorsement of why such bridge-building efforts are needed (Sportswashing is associated with certain countries - why not Israel?, 24 January).

When our liberal and open country holds its massive annual Gay Pride parade - the largest (if not the only one) in the Middle East, Israel is accused of pinkwashing". When Israel leads in environmental issues and breakthroughs in climate change technologies, Israel is accused of greenwashing". When our generous and supremely capable NGOs like IsraAid or Save a Child's Heart provide support to communities in need around the world, we are accused of aidwashing".