FIFA Cancels Malaysia Conference over Refusal to Grant Israelis Entry

August 14, 2016 Articles, Features, News
The BDS call was initiated in 2005 by the Palestinian civil society. (Photo: via File)

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has canceled its 2017 congress, which was supposed to be held in Malaysia after the Israeli football association complained that the Malaysian authorities refused to grant Israeli representatives the needed visas to enter the country.

The Israelis complained that, “There are obstacles brought forward by the Malaysian government which prevents granting Israelis visas to Malaysia. Malaysia also prevents the raising of Israeli flags and symbols during conferences and events.”

Dr. Mohd Nazari Ismail, the Head of BDS Malaysia, a non-government body that supports the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement told the Palestine Chronicle that his group plans to issue a statement in support of the Malaysian government’s position, stating, “This is the appropriate position.”

Commenting on the complaint, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister of Interior said, “We have a policy that we cannot accept countries with whom we have no diplomatic ties, and cannot allow the flag which would have to be hung outside the conference and placed on the tables.”

Israel withdrew from a surfing event in Malaysia in 2015 after two Israeli athletes were denied entry into the country. Malaysia is known for supporting the Palestinian cause, a stance established by the former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahatir Mohammed, and it maintains that position till today.

(PC, SAMA, Malay Mail)

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3 Comments

  1. Good. BDS is gaining support among nations that value the rights of Palestinian people. This is the appropriate thing to do to discredit, denounce, defame and denigrate the self declared country with no basis why it exists. The land of Israel belongs solely to the Palestinian people, so evict Israel from the Palestinian land and liberate Al Aqsa mosque from the Jews. Long live Palestine! Every drop of Muslim blood is for you.

  2. Well done Malaysia…good to see someone at least brave enough to uphold their convictions and stand up against the apartheid state of Israel…

  3. Israel is not a Jewish country and people should not strictly refer to Israelies as “Jews..” This is the common belief that no one wants to talk about.

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