CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman in the House of Lords, Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles, has tabled a series of written parliamentary questions in response to Malaysia’s “lamentable” decision to ban Israeli para athletes from competing in the World Para Swimming Championships.
Lord Pickles states that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s defence of historic antisemitic remarks (including “hook nose” and “instinctive sense of money”) at the Oxford Union last week “raise serious questions about Malaysia’s suitability to host” the competition.
In his written parliamentary questions, Lord Pickles encourages the UK Government to make representations to the International Paralympic Committee about Malaysia’s suitability to host the competition and seeks additional reassurance for the safety of British athletes and travellers visiting Malaysia.
Lord Pickles said: “Malaysia’s decision to ban Israeli athletes from the upcoming Paralympic swimming tournament is lamentable. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s historic antisemitic remarks, which he defended at the Oxford Union this weekend, raise further serious questions about Malaysia’s suitability to host such a prestigious international sporting competition which is supposed to promote peace and inclusivity. I have tabled a series of written questions to the Foreign Secretary and Culture Secretary encouraging the UK to make representations to the International Paralympic Committee to prevent it from hosting the championships, and highlighting my concerns over the safety of British athletes and travellers”.
