Comments on: Politics is a tennis match in Dubai — and tourism is the loser http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/politics-is-a-tennis-match-in-dubai-and-tourism-is-the-loser/ The last honest travel site Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: unicorn http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/politics-is-a-tennis-match-in-dubai-and-tourism-is-the-loser/comment-page-1/#comment-10323 unicorn Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:52:25 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=9962#comment-10323 The Arab nations isolate Israel in every way they can. They essentially had Israel kicked out of the Asian Games but I doubt if Israel were to hold an international competition Arab athletes would have a problem with Israel if they wished to attend (their own nations would regard them as traitors if they tried to attend). The UAE originally agreed to allow all competitors visas and then reneged. Ping-pong was the vehicle that opened China to the world in the early 70's, so sports can play a positive role in encouraging peace. It's obvious, for all their protestations, the Arab nations don't really want peace with Israel, or they would encourage more non-governmental contacts like this. The Arab nations isolate Israel in every way they can. They essentially had Israel kicked out of the Asian Games but I doubt if Israel were to hold an international competition Arab athletes would have a problem with Israel if they wished to attend (their own nations would regard them as traitors if they tried to attend). The UAE originally agreed to allow all competitors visas and then reneged.

Ping-pong was the vehicle that opened China to the world in the early 70′s, so sports can play a positive role in encouraging peace. It’s obvious, for all their protestations, the Arab nations don’t really want peace with Israel, or they would encourage more non-governmental contacts like this.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/politics-is-a-tennis-match-in-dubai-and-tourism-is-the-loser/comment-page-1/#comment-10317 Anonymous Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:04:32 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=9962#comment-10317 @Jennifer: Two wrongs don't make right. Ever hear that? Apparently not. Also this woman wasn't some terrorist suspect lady. She was an athlete. She wasn't applying for work or risidency. Big difference. Misrepresenting the facts doesn't put your argument in a good light. Next.... @Jennifer: Two wrongs don’t make right. Ever hear that? Apparently not.
Also this woman wasn’t some terrorist suspect lady. She was an athlete.
She wasn’t applying for work or risidency. Big difference. Misrepresenting the facts doesn’t put your argument in a good light. Next….

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/politics-is-a-tennis-match-in-dubai-and-tourism-is-the-loser/comment-page-1/#comment-10252 Jennifer Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:03:05 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=9962#comment-10252 Israel does this sort of thing all the time. Do you think an Arab national could expect to be granted a visa to Israel? Think again. Israel invented the policy of visa denial as a means of harassment based on ethnicity - if anyone's interested, I can pass on several instances that I'm personally familiar with. Politics has never been completely removed from sports, and perhaps it shouldn't be. The US and USSR boycotted each other's Olympic games, and the Soviet judges were notorious for biased scoring. The international community refused to accept South African athletes in any international competetion during apartheid. Was that right? Maybe, maybe not. But oddly enough, I don't recall anyone being demonized for it at the time. Double standards? Israel does this sort of thing all the time. Do you think an Arab national could expect to be granted a visa to Israel? Think again. Israel invented the policy of visa denial as a means of harassment based on ethnicity – if anyone’s interested, I can pass on several instances that I’m personally familiar with.

Politics has never been completely removed from sports, and perhaps it shouldn’t be. The US and USSR boycotted each other’s Olympic games, and the Soviet judges were notorious for biased scoring. The international community refused to accept South African athletes in any international competetion during apartheid. Was that right? Maybe, maybe not. But oddly enough, I don’t recall anyone being demonized for it at the time. Double standards?

]]> By: unicorn http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/politics-is-a-tennis-match-in-dubai-and-tourism-is-the-loser/comment-page-1/#comment-10250 unicorn Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:27:07 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=9962#comment-10250 Not only did the UAE deny Shaheer Peer a visa, but many Arab countries deny a visa to anyone with a stamp on their passport from Israel. As interesting as Dubai is, I won't visit it or any other country that does this. I'm glad Isramworld has taken this stand and I hope the WTA removes its sponsorship of the Dubai Championship until the UAE agrees to keep its commitments. Not only did the UAE deny Shaheer Peer a visa, but many Arab countries deny a visa to anyone with a stamp on their passport from Israel. As interesting as Dubai is, I won’t visit it or any other country that does this. I’m glad Isramworld has taken this stand and I hope the WTA removes its sponsorship of the Dubai Championship until the UAE agrees to keep its commitments.

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