ZFA calls on Malaysia to issue visas to Israeli athletes
ZFA President Danny Lamm has called upon the Malaysian Government to reverse its vindictive denial of entry visas to Israeli athletes seeking to compete in next month’s World Team Table Tennis Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Danny Lamm
As of today, Malaysia has not issued visas to members of the Israeli national team, placing Israel’s participation in the Championships in doubt. This incident has taken place just one month after the Israeli Sailing Association was forced to withdraw its athletes from the Youth World Sailing Championships in Langkwai after they were similarly denied Malaysian entry visas.
While a single such incident of this type could be ascribed to bureaucratic oversight, two such occurrences taking place in rapid succession would indicate that more insidious factors might be at play.
“Though what appears to be deliberate policy, Malaysia has betrayed the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) definition of sport as: ‘a recognised instrument for promoting peace’” said Dr Lamm. “The Malaysian Government’s actions arguably have antisemitic undertones as well.”
Dr. Lamm went on to note: “The values espoused by International Olympic Committee include: “sport practiced without discrimination of any kind. The ZFA urges the international sporting community to pressure the Government of Malaysia to live up to Olympic ideals by granting entry visas to Israeli athletes.”
In the meantime, Israeli Moshe, the General Secretary of the Table tennis Association in Israel told J-Wire: “Currently according to the organising committee preparing the Israeli national team in Malaysia visa we are awaiting more information from Malaysia.”
If the Malaysians fail to issue visas despite pressure, Israeli Moshe and his committee should not only protest but also urge fair-minded nations to withdraw from the Championships.
It seems strange that folk can’t travel on an aircraft with two Muslims, yet they want to visit a country where the bulk of the population are Muslims. Rational?
Regards.
Sam T….It seems you have a problem with rationality. Firstly the air travel with the two Muslims is about another group of ppl at another time, in another place and for another reason. From all accounts THE WHOLE PLANE felt the same way about the two Muslims (Israeli Arabs actually). That is perhaps why they were removed from the plane. Secondly this story is about a sporting activity. Politics and sport should never mix. Apparently this Muslim-populated country and the idiots who run this competition are anti-Semitic and anti Israel. And most probably racist. The fact that our Israeli competitors WANTED to travel to Malaysia indicates that our Jewish sportsmen and women have nothing against Muslims. And certainly nothing against mixing politics and sport. NOW that is TRUE sportsmanship. It all seems perfectly rational to me. Be more discerning, SamT. It will be good for your health.
Dear SamT , what folk can’t travel on an aircraft with two Muslims? I don’t know of any nationality or religion who practices that.If you are thinking of Jews then you are wrong. And if you are thinking of Israeli’s, did you know 25% of the Israeli population is Arab, and most are Muslim ? Israel wants to compete against all countries, regardless of race,color,or religion.