Malaysia announced this week that it will not let Israeli swimmers participate in the qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the country, and has banned all Israeli nationals from events it hosts.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) conveyed its disappointment in Malaysia’s decision.
Malaysia has a very large Muslim population with no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and entry to the country on an Israeli passport is forbidden.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Kuala Lumpur would refuse visas to Israeli paralympic swimmers who wish to attend the tournament.
The Prime Minister said: “We maintain our stand on the prohibition. If they do come, it is a violation…If they [the International Paralympic Committee] want to withdraw Malaysia’s right to host the championship, they can do so”.
In a statement The IPC said it was “disappointed” with Mahathir’s remarks and would try to “find a solution”.
The city of Kuching in the eastern Sarawak state will allow hundreds of swimmers from 70 countries this summer.
Israeli athletes are regularly banned from competing at international sporting events in Arab or Muslim countries, or forced to compete without displaying their national symbols.
The first official visit by an Israeli sports delegation to Malaysia was the Israeli cricket team in 1997, who were permitted to play in the 22-nation International Cricket Council Trophy events in Kuala Lumpur even though there were violent street protests.
The International Judo Federation, last year, stripped the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia from hosting two international contests because of their failure to guarantee equal treatment of Israeli athletes.
