Indonesia refuses visa to Israeli badminton player
World Jewish Congress (WJC) CEO Robert Singer has criticized the authorities in Indonesia for “unfairly mixing politics and sports” and denying a visa to Israel player Misha Zilberman which would allow him to compete in the World Badminton Championships held in the capital Jakarta next week.
Misha Zilberman Photo: Wikipedia
Zilberman has reportedly been denied an entry visa despite lodging his application six months ago and providing all the necessary documentation.
Singer said: “This decision to bar an Israeli player from an international sporting competition can’t stand, and I urge Indonesia to allow Misha Zilberman to compete in these championships.”
He added: “Let’s be clear about this: Here we have yet another blatant attempt to mix politics and sports, and to exclude Israeli athletes from international competitions. If this decision is upheld, it will do harm to Indonesia’s standing in the world, and it will raise the question whether this is the right place to hold such prestigious events.”
Singer also attacked the organizer of the games, the Badminton World Federation (BWF), for its inaction on the matter and for not providing assistance to Zilberman: “If athletes are excluded on political grounds, at the very least there should be some soul-searching going on. This sad episode casts a shadow on the event, and the failure of the BWF leadership to use its leverage speaks volumes.”
Why is it that Muslim countries can deny Jews but Israel is not permitted to deny Muslims??
Well, this is a brilliant occasion for the leadership of the Board of Deps. to show us some…. leadership.
A solid demonstration in front of the Indonesian Consulate in Sydney is a MUST.
Back in the 80s, maybe before the current President of the Board was born, I organised quite a few against the Russians in Sydney to release the Russian Jews to Israel and now look what I have achieved, Russian is almost a compulsory language now in Israel and how many little sabra babies have been born mit blue eyes, blond hair and a penchant for top label fashion items….. not to mention vodka at breakfast and the rest.
With their uninterrupted history of violence without immunity even against their own people, what can Jews and Christians expect from them?