Sport
UAE: Second Israeli tennis player seeks visa to compete
Dubai, 17 Feb. (AKI) - Israeli tennis player Andy Ram was waiting for a decision on Tuesday from the United Arab Emirates on a visa application allowing him to compete in the men's draw of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
Ram's application follows the controversy over Israeli compatriot Shahar Peer, whose visa was refused by UAE authorities, who cited concerns for her safety after the Israel's recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The UAE refused to grant a visa to Peer preventing her from competing in this week's Dubai competition which is part of the Sony Ericsson Women's Tennis Association tour.
The men's draw was due to begin on 23 February and Ram - who is ranked 11 in the world in doubles - still did not know late Tuesday if he would be able to compete.
Ram, born in Uruguay, immigrated to Israel when he was five-years-old and turned professional in 1998. He currently lives in Jerusalem.
Following the controversy generated by Peer's visa refusal, there was speculation that next year's tennis tournament might be cancelled.
In response to widespread criticism of Peer's visa refusal, the tournament organisers, told the UAE internet site, Arabian Business, that:
"The tournament also respects Ms. Shahar Peer as a professional tennis player on the tour and understands her disappointment. Public sentiment remains high in the Middle East and it is believed that Ms. Peer’s presence would have antagonised our fans who have watched live television coverage of recent attacks in Gaza."
"Ms. Peer personally witnessed protests against her at another tournament in New Zealand only a few weeks ago," organisers said.
"Concern was raised about her well-being and her presence triggering similar protests. Given public sentiment, the entire tournament could have been boycotted by protesters.”
“We do not wish to politicise sports, but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players and the many tennis fans of different nationalities that we have here in the UAE.”
Last year Peer - Israel's top tennis talent - made diplomatic history when she became the first Israeli to compete in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
However, Israel's recent military operation in the Gaza Strip provoked outrage across the Arab world and sparked worldwide protests against Israel.
The three-week offensive, Operation Cast Lead, began on 27 December with the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli towns.
More than 1,330 Palestinians were killed and another 5,300 were injured - over one-third of them children. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict which ended with separate ceasefire declarations from Israel and Hamas.
Ram's application follows the controversy over Israeli compatriot Shahar Peer, whose visa was refused by UAE authorities, who cited concerns for her safety after the Israel's recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The UAE refused to grant a visa to Peer preventing her from competing in this week's Dubai competition which is part of the Sony Ericsson Women's Tennis Association tour.
The men's draw was due to begin on 23 February and Ram - who is ranked 11 in the world in doubles - still did not know late Tuesday if he would be able to compete.
Ram, born in Uruguay, immigrated to Israel when he was five-years-old and turned professional in 1998. He currently lives in Jerusalem.
Following the controversy generated by Peer's visa refusal, there was speculation that next year's tennis tournament might be cancelled.
In response to widespread criticism of Peer's visa refusal, the tournament organisers, told the UAE internet site, Arabian Business, that:
"The tournament also respects Ms. Shahar Peer as a professional tennis player on the tour and understands her disappointment. Public sentiment remains high in the Middle East and it is believed that Ms. Peer’s presence would have antagonised our fans who have watched live television coverage of recent attacks in Gaza."
"Ms. Peer personally witnessed protests against her at another tournament in New Zealand only a few weeks ago," organisers said.
"Concern was raised about her well-being and her presence triggering similar protests. Given public sentiment, the entire tournament could have been boycotted by protesters.”
“We do not wish to politicise sports, but we have to be sensitive to recent events in the region and not alienate or put at risk the players and the many tennis fans of different nationalities that we have here in the UAE.”
Last year Peer - Israel's top tennis talent - made diplomatic history when she became the first Israeli to compete in the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
However, Israel's recent military operation in the Gaza Strip provoked outrage across the Arab world and sparked worldwide protests against Israel.
The three-week offensive, Operation Cast Lead, began on 27 December with the stated aim of ending Hamas rocket attacks against Israeli towns.
More than 1,330 Palestinians were killed and another 5,300 were injured - over one-third of them children. Thirteen Israelis died in the conflict which ended with separate ceasefire declarations from Israel and Hamas.
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