Israel Bans Gazan Athletes from Attending Games in Baku

The voyage of the Baku-2017 4th Islamic Solidarity Games starting from the Caspian Sea is launched. Israel is not allowing 25 athletes [from Gaza] to participate in the games

Baku, Azerbaijan, 15 Sha’ban 1438/12 May 2017 (MINA) – Israel has barred Palestinian athletes from participating in the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games, which will kick off in Azerbaijani capital Baku on Friday, Anadolu Agency reported, citing a Palestinian official.

Ahmad al-Ali, a spokesman for the Palestinian Olympic Committee, told Anadolu Agency that Israel had barred 25 Palestinian athletes from the blockaded Gaza Strip — out of 105 on the Palestinian national team — from attending the event.

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“Israel is not allowing 25 athletes [from Gaza] to participate in the games in Baku,” he said.

At a press conference held in the Azerbaijani capital, Faisal Abdulaziz al-Nasser, head of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, slammed the move.Faisal Abdulaziz al-Nasser

“That Israel prevents Palestinian athletes from participating in the games is unacceptable,” he said. “We will work hard to prevent such an outcome.”

Al-Nasser added: “We never refrain from supporting Palestine.” (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)