The International Squash Federation announced the cancellation of the World Men's Team Championship in Malaysia due to the Malaysian government's refusal to allow Israelis to enter its territory to participate in the tournament and due to fears of the new mutant of the Corona virus (Omicron).
The tournament - in which 26 teams were participating - was scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur between the seventh and 12th of next December, after it was transferred from New Zealand in May due to travel restrictions due to the “Covid-19” epidemic.
The International Federation explained that what prompted it to take the decision to cancel other issues related to visas may deprive some teams of entry to Malaysia.
Zina Wooldridge, president of the International Squash Federation, said sports officials sought to "influence the highest authorities in Malaysia to ensure that all participating teams, including Israel, are able to enter Malaysia and compete."
And the Israeli squash federation said - earlier - that the countries that participated in the tournament, in which Israel was prevented from attending, will close their eyes to "racism and discrimination."
The decision came after the Israel Squash Association took its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The World Federation of the game also noted that the decision to cancel the event was also affected by the Omicron mutation, which is feared to affect travel to Malaysia.
Malaysia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, and travel to Malaysia with an Israeli passport is not permitted without written permission from the Malaysian Ministry of Interior.
In a statement on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah renewed his country's "firm support and deep solidarity" with the Palestinian people, urging an end to "the repeated violence and aggression practiced by Israel against the Palestinians", and "systematic oppression and crimes against humanity". Apartheid".
It is noteworthy that Malaysia threatened in 2019 to deny entry visas to Israeli athletes for the World Para Swimming Championships, and was stripped of its right to host the event.
Prior to that, in 2015, Israeli skaters withdrew from a competition on the island of Langkawi after being refused visas.