Malaysia has refused to grant visas to Israeli squash players, preventing them from participating in the squash world championship next month, as entry into the country on an Israeli passport is banned by the government.
The World Team Championship for men, which is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from December 7-12, will include participation from 26 countries. However, players from Israel will be absent after were denied visas by the Southeast Asian host country, where about 60% of the population are ethnic Malay Muslims. The two countries do not share formal diplomatic relations.
In a statement to AFP, the World Squash Federation (WSF) acknowledged that it had “been made aware that, at present, the Malaysian authorities have not accepted yet to provide visas for the Israel squash team.” The WSF emphasised that it remains “committed to the principle of open and inclusive world championships in which all member nations who wish to participate are welcome to do so.” It further added that it had been corresponding with Malaysia’s squash association and is hoping for “a fair and practical solution.”
Meanwhile, the Israel Squash Association (ISA) announced that if the WSF fails to resolve the issue, it will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, an independent international court. “It’s a shame that they are mixing sports with politics. Those who close their eyes - all the countries that participate and let something like that happen - they allow racism and discrimination to take place in sports,” ISA chairman Aviv Bushinsky told AFP.
In addition, Israel’s Minister of Sport and Culture, Chili Tropper, also said in a statement earlier this week: “I find it impossible to believe that in this modern era, there is still a place for discrimination, as well as the mixing of political considerations and sport.”
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s squash organisation, the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), declined to comment and also ignored the ISA’s inquiry about the possibility of granting special visas to the sportsmen.
The head of the Malaysian squash organization had earlier said that the country “would not be able to guarantee [Israeli players’] safety and well-being.” “As you may be aware, there are, sadly, long-standing sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict...As is encountered across the world, there are sympathizers of the conflict who will not hesitate to take extreme measures to display their displeasure toward the nation of Israel and her people,” SRAM president Gerard Monteiro wrote.
The tournament, which was originally supposed to take place in New Zealand, was moved to Malaysia earlier this year due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
Malaysia has long stood behind the Palestinian cause. Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad once said he was “glad to be labelled antisemitic,” and defended his many remarks ridiculing Jews, such as calling them “hook-nosed.”
This is not the first time that political and religious differences between the two countries have seeped into sports. In 2019, Malaysia was barred from hosting the World Para Swimming Championships after it threatened to exclude Israeli athletes. Similarly, in 2015, Israeli windsurfers were forced to quit a competition being hosted in Malaysia after being refused visas.
Malaysia Denies Visas to Israeli Squash Players
The move has stirred religious sentiments in Israel.
November 26, 2021
The Israel national squash team. IMAGE SOURCE: YNET NEWS