Barred From Squash Tourney In Kl Israel Threatens Legal Action

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The Israel Squash Association (ISA) plans to take the World Squash Federation (WSF) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if Israeli players are barred from a major tournament in Malaysia.
According to Jerusalem Post, ISA chairperson Aviv Bushinsky said Malaysia's decision to deny Israeli athletes visas was discriminatory and would form the basis of their legal action.
"It is our duty to fight any attempt to mix politics with sports. 
"Any country chosen to host an international sporting event (is) required to open its doors to participants without discrimination based on race or politics," Bushinsky added.
The WSF was informed on Sept 27 by the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) that Israeli athletes would not be allowed to participate in the World Team Squash Championship, set to take place at the National Squash Centre in Kuala Lumpur beginning Dec 7.
The ISA protested against the move to the WSF - the sport's global governing body - pointing to sanctions by the International Paralympic Committee which cancelled Malaysia's rights to host the 2019 World Para Swimming Championship.
'Absurd' move
Israeli Sports and Culture Minister Chili Tropper, in a letter to the WSF, had described the situation as "particularly absurd" since the ISA was invited by the WSF to participate in the tournament and had paid all the necessary fees.
"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," Tropper wrote to the WSF, according to the report.
"Nowadays, this is a basic criterion for any country wishing to host any international sports event – whether it be chess, football, judo or squash: to allow all participants the equal opportunity to participate and showcase their skills and sporting abilities.
"I understand that the WSF has not provided any options or courses of action and that the Israeli association remains left out, empty-handed and devoid of any solution. As the minister of sport for Israel, I would expect that the WSF would act according to the norms set out and implemented by the rest of the sporting world and ensure our equal participation," he added. 
M'sia can't guarantee Israelis' safety? 
Israeli press had repeatedly cited the SRAM, in their Sept 27 communique to the ISA, stating that "there are, sadly, long-standing sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict... (Malaysia) would not be able to guarantee (Israeli players') safety and well-being".
In an editorial two days ago, the Jerusalem Post wrote: "A country not able to guarantee the safety and well-being of all international athletes has no business hosting any tournament."
The tournament was originally supposed to be hosted by New Zealand. Due to Covid-19 restrictions in the original host country, the tournament was moved to Malaysia.
Malaysia does not recognise Israel. However, visa rules are inconsistent.
In 2011, Malaysia allowed Yossi Benayoun to enter the country with his football club Chelsea for a friendly with Malaysia.
In 2018, Malaysia allowed an Israeli delegation of diplomats to participate in the UN's Urban World Forum in Kuala Lumpur, which lasted a week. - Mkini

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